value — Definition, Formula & Examples
Value is the amount that a number, digit, or mathematical expression is worth. For example, the value of 7 is 7, and the value of 3 + 4 is also 7.
The value of a mathematical object is the numerical quantity it represents or the result obtained when an expression is evaluated. Every numeral, variable with an assigned quantity, or computable expression has a definite value.
How It Works
When you see a single number like 9, its value is simply 9. When you see an expression like 2 + 5, you find its value by calculating the result, which is 7. A digit's value can also depend on its position within a larger number — for instance, the digit 3 in 35 has a value of 30 because it sits in the tens place. Whenever a math problem asks you to "find the value," it is asking you to figure out what a number or expression equals.
Worked Example
Problem: Find the value of the expression 8 + 6 × 2.
Step 1: Follow order of operations — multiply first.
Step 2: Then add.
Answer: The value of the expression is 20.
Why It Matters
Understanding what "value" means helps you interpret nearly every math problem you will encounter, from basic arithmetic through algebra and beyond. When a test asks you to find, compare, or estimate values, knowing this term keeps you focused on what the question is really asking.
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Confusing the digit itself with the value it represents in a number. For example, saying the value of 5 in 52 is 5.
Correction: The digit 5 in 52 is in the tens place, so its value is 50, not 5. A digit's value depends on its position.