Hundredth — Definition, Formula & Examples
A hundredth is one of 100 equal parts of a whole. When you divide something into 100 equal pieces, each piece is one hundredth.
In the base-ten place value system, the hundredths place is the second digit to the right of the decimal point, representing a value of or per unit in that position.
How It Works
The hundredths place sits two spots to the right of the decimal point. In the number , the digit is in the hundredths place, so it stands for hundredths, or . You can write any number of hundredths as a fraction with 100 on the bottom or as a two-digit decimal. For example, hundredths equals , which equals .
Worked Example
Problem: Write 63 hundredths as a fraction and as a decimal.
Write as a fraction: 63 hundredths means 63 out of 100 equal parts.
Write as a decimal: Since hundredths fill two decimal places, write 63 after the decimal point.
Answer: 63 hundredths = =
Why It Matters
Hundredths appear every time you work with money — pennies are hundredths of a dollar. Understanding this place value is also essential for measuring, reading percentages, and solving decimal problems throughout elementary and middle school math.
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Confusing tenths with hundredths by miscounting decimal places.
Correction: Tenths are the first digit after the decimal point; hundredths are the second. In , the is tenths and the is hundredths.