To write a number in words, write the number in each period followed by the name of the period without the ‘s’ at the end. Start with the digit at the left, which has the largest place value. The commas separate the periods, so wherever there is a comma in the number, write a comma between the words. The ones period, which has the smallest place value, is not named.
So the number [latex]37,519,248[/latex] is written thirty-seven million, five hundred nineteen thousand, two hundred forty-eight.
Notice that the word and is not used when naming a whole number.
How to: Name a Whole Number in Words
Starting at the digit on the left, name the number in each period, followed by the period name. Do not include the period name for the ones.
Use commas in the number to separate the periods.
A student conducted research and found that the number of mobile phone users in the United States during one month in [latex]2014[/latex] was [latex]327,577,529[/latex]. Name that number in words.
Identify the periods associated with the number.
Name the number in each period, followed by the period name. Put the commas in to separate the periods.
Millions period: three hundred twenty-seven million
Thousands period: five hundred seventy-seven thousand
Ones period: five hundred twenty-nine
So the number of mobile phone users in the United States during the month of April was three hundred twenty-seven million, five hundred seventy-seven thousand, five hundred twenty-nine.
Use Place Value to Write Whole Numbers
We will now reverse the process and write a number given in words as digits.
How to: Write Whole Numbers from Words
Identify the words that indicate periods. (Remember the ones period is never named).
Draw three blanks to indicate the number of places needed in each period. Separate the periods by commas.
Name the number in each period and place the digits in the correct place value position.
Write the following numbers using digits.
fifty-three million, four hundred one thousand, seven hundred forty-two
nine billion, two hundred forty-six million, seventy-three thousand, one hundred eighty-nine
1.
Identify the words that indicate periods.
Except for the first period, all other periods must have three places.
Draw three blanks to indicate the number of places needed in each period.
Separate the periods by commas.
Then write the digits in each period.
Put the numbers together, including the commas. The number is [latex]53,401,742[/latex].
2.
Identify the words that indicate periods.
Except for the first period, all other periods must have three places.
Draw three blanks to indicate the number of places needed in each period.
Separate the periods by commas.
Then write the digits in each period.
The number is [latex]9,246,073,189[/latex].
Notice that in part (2), a zero was needed as a place-holder in the hundred thousands place. Be sure to write zeros as needed to make sure that each period, except possibly the first, has three places.
