What is the place value of 9 in the number 3.0492?

Analyze the question: We need the place value of the digit 9 in 3.0492. Place value tells us what position a digit holds after the decimal point.

Concept: Digits after the decimal point have these place values:

• 1st place: tenths (1/10)
• 2nd place: hundredths (1/100)
• 3rd place: thousandths (1/1000)
• 4th place: ten-thousandths (1/10000)

Solution: Break down 3.0492:

• 3 → units
• 0 → tenths (1st decimal place)
• 4 → hundredths (2nd decimal place)
• 9 → thousandths (3rd decimal place)
• 2 → ten-thousandths (4th decimal place)

So the 9 is in the third decimal place, the thousandths position. Its place value is 9/1000, which is 0.009.

Check: 3.0492 = 3 + 0/10 + 4/100 + 9/1000 + 2/10000. ✔

Answer: Option B, 9/1000.

Tip: Count the decimal places from the point: 1st = tenths, 2nd = hundredths, 3rd = thousandths. The denominator has the same number of zeros as the position number (3rd place → 1000, which has 3 zeros). Watch out for the 0 right after the point, as it takes up the tenths place and pushes the 9 to the thousandths.