In Hindu Arabic numbers, place values increases by powers of \(10\) as the digits go left. For example, look at the place values of the digits in the number \(327.\) There is a \(7\) in the ones place.

Going left one, there is a \(2.\) The value it represents is \(2 \times 10 = 20.\)

Going left again, there is a \(3.\) The value is represents is \(3 \times 100 = 300.\)

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To go right from the ones place add a \(.\) which is called a decimal point. The values to the right of the decimal point are divided by \(10\) instead of multiplied.

Look at the example \(45.37.\)

There is a \(4\) in the tens place. It represents \(4 \times 10 = 40.\)

There is a \(5\) in the ones place. It represents \(5.\)

There is a \(3\) to the right of the \(5.\) It is after the decimal point in the tenths place. It represents \(3/10.\)

There is a \(7\) to the right of the \(3.\) It is in the hundredths place. It represents \(7/100.\)

Example: Convert \(30 + 7 + 8/10\) to Hindu Arabic numerals.

The \(30 + 7\) represents \(37.\) The fraction \(8/10\) represents \(8\) tenths. It comes after the decimal place. \[37.8\]

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Example: Convert \(4 + 2/5\) to Hindu Arabic numerals.

Using equivalent fractions, we can change the denominator of \(2/5\) from \(5\) to \(10.\) \[\frac{2}{5} = \frac{4}{10}\] So, \(4 + 2/5 = 4 + 4/10.\) This can be written as a decimal like this. \[4.4\]