11+ Maths: Reading & Writing Numbers Practice
21 October 2026
Why it matters
Reading and writing numbers is a foundation for 11+ maths. Many questions depend on this skill, from rounding to comparing and solving word problems.
What children need to know
For the 11+, children should be able to read and write numbers up to 10 million. This includes both digits and words, and understanding the place value of each digit.
How to practise at home
Ask your child to read out large numbers you write down. Challenge them to write numbers in words and digits. Use real-life examples like house prices or population figures to keep practice interesting.
Worked example
4,372,589
Step 1: Split the number into groups of three digits from right to left: 4 | 372 | 589
Step 2: Read each group separately: four million, three hundred seventy-two thousand, five hundred eighty-nine
Step 3: Combine the groups into a single phrase: four million three hundred seventy-two thousand five hundred eighty-nine
The correct answer is four million three hundred seventy-two thousand five hundred eighty-nine.
Key insight: Practising with large numbers gives children confidence and helps prevent mistakes in other topics, such as rounding and comparing numbers.
