Second Grade
Worksheets
Writing Numbers in Words
Take a good look at a bank check. Notice all the information on it. Notice there are words and numbers. There are even numbers written in words!
On the second line of a check, the number amount is written in words. Why do you have to do this? It's for security.
Think about it. Let's say you wrote a check to someone for $6.11. If you only write the numbers on the check, they can be easily changed. Someone could write a 1 in front of the 6. He or she could even put a 9 there. A person could cash the check for much more than the amount you wrote it for.
If there was room, they could add many numbers to the front. They could make it $9,256.11! And guess where the money would come from to pay the check? That's right - your checking account!
So, writing the amount in words is a safety feature. The words must match the numbers in the box for the check amount. The bank teller will look to make sure they do. If the amounts don't match, the teller will not cash the check.
