How this calculation works
The zero in 5,042 holds the hundreds place. Moving the 4 one place left would make its contribution 400.
THE FORMULA
n = sum of each digit × its place valueA worked example
In 5,042 the 5 contributes 5,000, the 4 contributes 40, and the 2 contributes 2.
Good to know
Zero terms are omitted from the expansion.
Reference: OpenStax Prealgebra (opens in a new tab) ↗
Read the result
Break a whole number into its decimal place values and see which places are occupied.
The primary result is labeled “Expanded form”. Keep the input definitions in view when comparing this result with another method.
Try a related calculation
Zero terms are omitted from the expansion.
For a related exercise, try the fraction calculator.
A few questions, answered
How can I check the default inputs by hand?
In 5,042 the 5 contributes 5,000, the 4 contributes 40, and the 2 contributes 2.
Which rule does this calculator apply?
n = sum of each digit × its place value