What does “Stellenwertsystem” mean in German?

Stellenwertsystem is one of the biggest ideas in mathematics: the spot where a digit sits decides how much it is worth. In 999, the same digit 9 means nine hundred, ninety, and nine — just by position. The word itself breaks into Stelle (place), Wert (value), and System. Read those three parts and the meaning falls out: a system where a symbol gets its value from where it stands.

He says: “Eine der größten mathematischen Erfindungen ist das Stellenwertsystem, bei dem die Platzierung von Symbolen unterschiedliche Stellenwerte erlaubt” — “One of the biggest math inventions is the place-value system, where the position of symbols gives them different place-values.” Read it in pieces: Stelle (place/spot) + Wert (value) + System. Each part carries its weight. Examples: - “Unser Stellenwertsystem hat die Basis zehn.” — Our place-value system is base ten. - “Jede Stelle hat einen anderen Wert.” — Each position has a different value. - “An welcher Stelle steht die Ziffer?” — In which spot does the digit sit? The shorter word der Stellenwert means the value one position carries. You will mostly meet Stellenwertsystem in math or computing talk, not everyday conversation.