How to explain expanded form in compare, expand & word problems to your child
22 October 2026
Expanded form helps children see the value of each digit in a number. It is a useful skill for comparing numbers, solving word problems, and understanding place value.
Worked example
Write 4,325 in expanded form.
First, look at each digit and what it is worth.
The 4 is in the thousands place. It is worth 4000.
The 3 is in the hundreds place. It is worth 300.
The 2 is in the tens place. It is worth 20.
The 5 is in the ones place. It is worth 5.
Now, write these values as a sum: 4000 + 300 + 20 + 5
The correct answer is 4000 + 300 + 20 + 5.
| Digit | Place Value | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Thousands | 4000 |
| 3 | Hundreds | 300 |
| 2 | Tens | 20 |
| 5 | Ones | 5 |
Key insight: When your child can break a number into its expanded form, they can spot patterns and compare numbers more confidently. Now they are ready to practise the same type of question themselves.
