GCSE Maths: Place Value & Ordering
Compare and order integers, decimals, and negative numbers using place value. Practise it with adaptive questions for AQA, Edexcel, OCR and Eduqas.
What you need to know
The concepts examiners test on place value & ordering, and what each one is really asking.
Where marks get lost
The exam technique that separates a correct method from a correct answer.
- Thinking 3.45 > 3.5 because 45 > 5 (wrong — compare digit by digit)
- Ignoring place value in decimals
- Confusing the inequality signs < and >
- Forgetting that negative numbers get smaller as the digit gets bigger
Place Value & Ordering questions students ask
Is Place Value & Ordering on the Foundation paper?
Yes. Place Value & Ordering appears at both Foundation and Higher tier, though Higher papers take it further.
What should I know before starting Place Value & Ordering?
It builds on Counting and number recognition. If those feel shaky, practise them first — Place Value & Ordering questions assume them.
What is the most common mistake in Place Value & Ordering?
Thinking 3.45 > 3.5 because 45 > 5 (wrong — compare digit by digit).
Which exam boards cover Place Value & Ordering?
All four we support — AQA, Edexcel, OCR and Eduqas. GCSE Maths subject content is set by the DfE, so the topic is common to every board; what changes is the paper structure and the grade boundaries.