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      Use place value to explain placing a zero after the final digit when we multiply whole numbers by 10

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can use place value to explain placing a zero after the final digit when we multiply whole numbers by 10

      Key learning points

      1. Multiples of 10 have a zero in the ones column.
      2. A digit in the tens column is 10 times the value of a digit in the ones column.
      3. Multiplying by ten moves all the digits one column to the left making them ten times the size.
      4. When a number is multiplied by ten the product is a multiple of ten.

      Keywords

      • Placeholder - A placeholder is where we use the digit zero to hold a place in a number and maintain place value.

      • Magnitude - The magnitude of a number is its distance from zero.

      Common misconception

      Many pupils believe that 'adding zero' is multiplying by 10 which can lead to difficulties later on when they are introduced to decimal numbers.

      Don't dismiss it. It's a pattern that has been spotted and generalised. Do encourage the children to work with physical resources that don't involve the numbers themselves so they can understand that it isn't adding zero but changing place value.

      Teacher tip

      Make mistakes in the place value yourself whilst modelling and get the children to spot this. They will enjoy pointing out your mistakes! It helps them to firm up their error-spotting skills and consolidates their understanding.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What number is being represented using the Base 10 blocks?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 130

      Q2.
      What number is being represented in the place value chart?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 59

      Q3.
      What number is being represented using the place value counters?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 43

      Q4.
      What number is being represented using Base 10 blocks?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 152

      Q5.
      What number is being represented in the place value chart?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 234

      Q6.
      What number is being represented using the place value counters?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 233

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What is the missing factor in the equation? × 10 = 80

      Correct Answer: 8

      Q2.
      What is the missing product in the equation? 56 × 10 =

      Correct Answer: 560

      Q3.
      What is the missing factor in the equation? × 10 = 350

      Correct Answer: 35

      Q4.
      A number is shown using Base 10 blocks. What was multiplied by 10 to create this representation?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 14

      Q5.
      What is the equation being represented in the place value chart showing before and after?

      An image in a quiz
      230 × 1 = 230
      Correct answer: 23 × 10 = 230
      5 × 5 = 25
      230 ÷ 10 = 23

      Q6.
      True or false: To multiply a whole number by ten, just add 0

      True
      Correct answer: False

      To help you plan your 4 maths lesson on: Use place value to explain placing a zero after the final digit when we multiply whole numbers by 10, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...