Question

In the number 73.412 , which digit is in the tenths place?

Short answer

The digit in the tenths place is 4.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Decimal Places

Understand the position of each digit in the number. For the number 73.412, the digits are positioned as follows: 7 in the tens place, 3 in the ones place, 4 in the tenths place, 1 in the hundredths place, and 2 in the thousandths place.

Locate the Tenths Place

The tenths place is the first digit to the right of the decimal point. In the given number 73.412, identify the digit immediately after the decimal point.

Select the Correct Digit

Determine the digit that is in this position. The digit in the tenths place of the number 73.412 is 4.

Key concepts

tenths place

The tenths place is a fundamental concept in understanding decimal numbers. It is the first position to the right of the decimal point. This means, in any decimal number, the digit just after the decimal point indicates how many tenths we have.

For example, in the number 73.412, to identify the tenths place, we look directly right of the decimal point.
In 73.412, we see that the digit 4 is in the tenths place.

This position shows us the number of tenths. So, 73.412 means 73 and 4 tenths, plus the rest of the digits in their respective positions.

decimal points

Decimal points are essential in distinguishing whole numbers from fractional parts. A decimal point separates the whole number part from the fractional part.
For instance, in the number 73.412, the decimal point is placed between 3 and 4.

Numbers to the left of the decimal point represent whole numbers (tens, ones, etc.)
Numbers to the right of the decimal point represent fractional parts (tenths, hundredths, thousandths, etc.)

Understanding the placement and meaning of the decimal point helps us interpret the value of each digit in a decimal number.

number positions

Each digit in a number has a specific position and value, which is crucial for understanding and using numbers correctly. In a decimal number, positions to the left of the decimal point are whole number positions, while those to the right are fractional positions.

Consider the number 73.412:

• 7 is in the tens place (7 tens or 70)
• 3 is in the ones place (3 ones or 3)
• 4 is in the tenths place (4 tenths or 0.4)
• 1 is in the hundredths place (1 hundredth or 0.01)
• 2 is in the thousandths place (2 thousandths or 0.002)

Understanding these place values allows you to read, write, and comprehend decimal numbers accurately.