ISEE Lower Level (grades 5-6) Mathematics Achievement

Prepare for the ISEE Lower Level Mathematics Achievement test with engaging content tailored for grades 5-6.

Basic Concepts

Whole Numbers and Place Value

Understanding Whole Numbers

Whole numbers are the numbers you count with: 0, 1, 2, 3, and so on. They do not include fractions, decimals, or negative numbers.

What is Place Value?

Place value tells us the value of each digit in a number based on its position. In the number 3,482, the 3 is in the thousands place, so it represents 3,000.

  • Thousands
  • Hundreds
  • Tens
  • Ones

Why is Place Value Important?

Place value helps us read, write, and compare numbers. It also helps with adding, subtracting, and understanding large numbers.

Fun Activity

Try reading big numbers in newspapers, like populations or money amounts, and see if you can break them down into place value!

Examples

  • In 5,267, the 5 is worth 5,000 because it is in the thousands place.

  • If you add one to 999, you get 1,000—a new digit appears!

In a Nutshell

Whole numbers are the basic counting numbers, and place value helps us understand what each digit in a number means.

Key Terms

Whole Number
A number without fractions or decimals.
Place Value
The value of a digit depending on its position in a number.