Large numbers and other numerals · Usually met around P5
Thousands, millions and billions
Groups of three: thousand, million, billion.
How to do it
Method
Groups of three: thousand, million, billion
2.5 million = 2,500,000
Another way
Count the zeros
A million has 6 zeros, a billion 9
In full
In English, big numbers are split into groups of three digits from the right, with commas: a thousand is 1,000, a million is 1,000,000 and a billion is 1,000,000,000, each 1,000 times the one before. 2,500,000 is read two million five hundred thousand, or 2.5 million. Chinese counts in lots of 10,000 and 100,000,000 instead, and the two ways convert: 1 million = 100 × 10,000, and 1 billion = 1,000 million. To compare big numbers, put them in the same unit first, or write them all in digits and count the digits. Or count zeros: a thousand has 3, a million 6, a billion 9.
Worked examples
Have a go first, then open each one for the answer and the working.
Example 1
51,000,000 = □ million
Show the answer and working
Answer: 51
A million is 1,000,000: 51,000,000 ÷ 1,000,000 = 51, so 51 million.
Example 2
1.8 billion = □ million
Show the answer and working
Answer: 1800
A billion is 1,000 million: 1.8 × 1,000 = 1800.
Example 3
Which number is 5.5 million?
- A. 5,500
- B. 55,000,000
- C. 5,500,000
- D. 550,000
Choose the right answer
Show the answer and working
Answer: C. 5,500,000
A million is 1,000,000: 5.5 × 1,000,000 = 5,500,000.
Practise it in the game →Large numbers and other numerals · Free to start, unlimited questions, no download