Placeholder zero

Definition

A zero used to keep other digits in their correct place-value columns, as in $305$ or $0.04$ .

Used by AQA and OCR

Specification N2 · Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3

Compare decimals from left to right, beginning with the largest place-value column. It can help to add trailing placeholder zeros so that every number has the same number of decimal places.
Revise: Place Value and Decimal Calculations

Specification 2.02b · Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Foundation), Paper 4 (Higher), Paper 5 (Higher), Paper 6 (Higher)

A zero written to hold a place-value position without changing the number's value, as in .

1
When comparing, adding or subtracting decimals, write the numbers vertically with their decimal points aligned. Add placeholder zeros if they make the columns clearer.
2
Keep all place-value columns visible in written calculations. Missing placeholder zeros are a common cause of answers that are ten or one hundred times too large or small.
3
For column addition or subtraction, align decimal points rather than the final digits. Add placeholder zeros where helpful.