The Hindu-Arabic numeration system is a base ten place value system that uses ten numerals. The ten numerals (or digits) are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.  Only a single digit may be placed in each place value position. The place value of each column is ten times greater in value than the place value in the column to its right.

The bottom part of the above table illustrates the relationship the place-value has to the cardinality of sets of objects: set of $1, set of $10, set of $100, …, set of one hundred million dollars. Since it is difficult to illustrate large sets of one-dollar bills in a compact form, the illustration uses pictures of bills for $1, $10, $100, $1000, $10,000 and $100,000. (Note that the U.S. Treasury no longer makes bills above the $100-bill and they are no longer in circulation. Large denomination U.S. currency.)

            To write “six thousand” using the Hindu-Arabic numeration system (base ten place value system), the numeral 6 is placed in the thousands’ column and zeros are used to fill in the positions to the right, so that the 6 remains in the 4^th position from the right when the place value columns are not included.