Expanded form is writing a number as the sum of the values of its digits. Which option is the expanded form for 324?

Expanded form is writing a number as the sum of the values of its digits. Which option is the expanded form for 324?

• A. 324
• B. 300 + 20 + 4
• C. 3 × 100 + 2 × 10 + 4 × 1
• D. 3 × 10 + 2 × 100 + 4 × 1

Answer: (B)

Expanded form expresses a number as the sum of its place-value parts. For 324, the hundreds place is 3, so that contributes 300; the tens place is 2, contributing 20; the ones place is 4, contributing 4. Adding these together gives 300 + 20 + 4, which is the expanded form. The other expressions either present the number itself or use a product form that isn’t shown as a simple sum of place-value parts, though 3 × 100 + 2 × 10 + 4 × 1 would equal the same value.

Expanded form expresses a number as the sum of its place-value parts. For 324, the hundreds place is 3, so that contributes 300; the tens place is 2, contributing 20; the ones place is 4, contributing 4. Adding these together gives 300 + 20 + 4, which is the expanded form. The other expressions either present the number itself or use a product form that isn’t shown as a simple sum of place-value parts, though 3 × 100 + 2 × 10 + 4 × 1 would equal the same value.