Thousandth — Definition, Formula & Examples
A thousandth is one equal part when something is divided into 1,000 equal pieces. As a decimal it is written 0.001, and as a fraction it is written .
A thousandth represents the place value three positions to the right of the decimal point. A digit in the thousandths place has a value equal to that digit multiplied by , or .
How It Works
In the number 4.benchmarks, each position after the decimal point stands for a different fraction. The first spot is tenths, the second is hundredths, and the third is thousandths. For example, in the number , the digit 5 sits in the thousandths place, so it represents . Thousandths are smaller than hundredths and tenths, so they give a more precise measurement.
Worked Example
Problem: What is the value of the digit 8 in the number 2.438?
Identify the place: Count the positions after the decimal point: 4 is in the tenths place, 3 is in the hundredths place, and 8 is in the thousandths place.
Find the value: Multiply the digit by one thousandth.
Answer: The digit 8 has a value of , or eight thousandths.
Why It Matters
Thousandths come up whenever you need precise measurements, such as timing a race to the nearest millisecond or measuring length in millimeters. Understanding this place value helps you read and compare decimals correctly in science, sports, and everyday situations.
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Confusing the hundredths place with the thousandths place.
Correction: Remember the order after the decimal point: tenths (1st), hundredths (2nd), thousandths (3rd). The thousandths digit is always the third digit to the right of the decimal point.