HSPT Math Question of the Day

1. 2,000,000
2. 200,000 (correct answer)
3. 20,000
4. 2,000

Explanation: When you encounter a question about place value, you need to identify which position a digit occupies in a number and understand what that position represents in our base-ten number system. In the number $4,205,687$, let's identify the place value of each digit by working from right to left. The rightmost digit (7) is in the ones place, then 8 is in the tens place, 6 is in the hundreds place, 5 is in the thousands place, 0 is in the ten-thousands place, 2 is in the hundred-thousands place, and 4 is in the millions place. The digit 2 sits in the hundred-thousands place, which means its value is $2 \times 100,000 = 200,000$. This makes choice B correct. Let's examine why the other answers are wrong. Choice A (2,000,000) represents the millions place value - this would be correct if the 2 were in the leftmost position where the 4 currently sits. Choice C (20,000) represents the ten-thousands place value, which is one position to the right of where our 2 actually appears. Choice D (2,000) represents the thousands place value, which is two positions to the right of the 2's actual location. For place value questions, always count positions carefully from right to left, and remember the pattern: ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, ten-thousands, hundred-thousands, millions. Using commas as guides helps too - the 2 appears right after the first comma from the left, confirming it's in the hundred-thousands place.