104 LearnersLast updated on July 5th, 2025
Rounding Numbers
Rounding numbers refers to the adjustment made to the digits of a number so that we get an approximate value. It is a method often used to make calculations easier where the exact values don’t matter much. Rounding a number gives an approximate value that is easier to use in estimation. For example, if the population of a village is 59,867, it can be rounded to 60,000. In this topic, we will learn more about rounding numbers.
What is Rounding Numbers?
Rounding numbers means reducing a number to its nearest whole number by keeping the value close to its original number. For instance, rounding 25.36 can be rounded to 25.4. The results may be slightly accurate, but it is easier to use. When rounding the numbers, place value plays a major role. Place value is the position of the digits in a number.
Rules for Rounding Numbers
When rounding numbers, there are specific rules to be followed. Now let’s learn the rules for rounding numbers.
Identify the rounding digit: First, we identify the number that needs to be rounded. For example, 467 can be rounded to 470. Here, the number to be rounded is in the tens place and rounding that particular place value makes sense because 470 is the closest round number to 467.
Examining the neighboring digit: Now, we need to examine the digit right to the rounding digit, as it determines whether the number needs to be rounded or kept as it is. In 467, the digit right to the rounding number is 7.
Using the rounding rules: If the digit right to the rounding digit is less than 5, then the rounding digit is kept the same and all the digits to the right are converted to zeros. If the digit right to the rounding digit is greater than or equal to 5, then increase the rounding digit by 1 and convert all the digits to the right to zeros.
In rounding 467, since 7 is greater than 5, the rounding digit 6 is increased by 1, resulting in 7. So 467 rounded to the nearest ten is 470.
How to Round Whole Numbers?
The rules mentioned above for rounding numbers works just fine while rounding whole numbers. The following is a step-by-step explanation on how to round whole numbers.
Step 1: Identify the target digit
First, identify the number to be rounded up. Like a number like 5.618 has to be rounded off then it will be 6, as it is nearest to 6(whole number).
Step 2: Identify the neighboring digit
The next step is to identify the digit right to the rounding digit. In 5.618, the digit right to the rounding digit is 1.
Step 3: Determining the value
First determine the value of the digit that has to be rounded off. We can then apply the rule depending on the value.
Step 4: Identify the rounding rules
In the example given above, the value of the digit right to the rounding digit is 1, and it is less than 5. Therefore, according to the rounding rules, we should convert the digits right to the rounding digit to zero. So, 5,618 can be rounded to 5,600. Here, we have rounded 5,618 to the nearest hundredth.
How to Round Decimal Numbers?
Follow the steps given below when rounding a decimal.
Step 1: Identify the rounding digit
Step 2: Examine the digit right of the rounding digit
Step 3: Apply the rounding rules
Let’s consider 7.386 and see how the decimal number can be rounded to the nearest tenth.
Step 1: The first step is to identify the rounding digit. Here, we need to round the decimal number to the nearest tenth, which is 3 in this case.
Step 2: Now we need to find the digit right of the rounding digit, which is 8.
Step 3: Since 8 is greater than 5. So the rounding digit should be increased by 1, and 3 becomes 4. Next, all the digits right of the rounding digit are converted to zeros. So, 7.386 rounded to the nearest tenth is 7.4.
Rounding Numbers to the Nearest Tenth
To round the number to the nearest tenth, we first check the tenths and one's places. Then apply the rounding rules.
Rounding Numbers to the Nearest Hundred
To round the number to the nearest hundred, we need to check the number right next to the hundreds place, that is, the tens place digit. For example, rounding 6546 can be rounded to the nearest hundred, 6500.
Round-Up and Round-Down
In rounding the numbers, the commonly used terms are round up and round down to express how the number changed. Round up means the number is increased after rounding, and round down means the number is decreased after rounding.
In rounding the numbers, the commonly used terms are round up and round down to express how the number changed. Round up means the number is increased after rounding, and round down means the number is decreased after rounding.
Rounding a number is a basic concept in math, finance, science, among others, and a small mistake can lead to significant errors. In this section, we will learn about a few common mistakes and ways to avoid them.
Mistake 1
Rounding too early
While rounding any number, students often make the mistake of rounding off too early. One should complete the calculation to understand the nearest rounded off whole number. For example, when adding 62.453, 56.247, and 45.698, the numbers should be added first and then rounded if needed: 62.453 + 56.247 + 45.698 = 164.398, which can be rounded to 164.4.
Mistake 2
Confusion with rounding rule
Students tend to get confused with the rules while rounding and end up making an error. We should understand the rules properly and double-check before applying them.
Mistake 3
Choosing the wrong place value when rounding a decimal number
The place values of a decimal number are counted from left to right. This can be confusing as the place values of whole numbers are counted from right to left. This mistake can be avoided by understanding the difference. For e.g., the hundredth place in 1.234 is 3, while in the whole number 1,234 the hundredth place is 2.
Mistake 4
Over-rounding leads to losing critical data
Students sometimes round the number more than necessary, which can lead to the removal of details. To maintain the precision, it is important to retain extra digits.
Mistake 5
Not increasing the rounding digit by 1
When rounding numbers, students sometimes fail to increase the rounding digit by 1. E.g., when rounding 248, they tend to incorrectly round it as 240 instead of writing 250. So always remember that if the number right to the rounding position is greater than or equal to 5, then the rounding position will increase by 1.
Real-world Applications of Rounding Numbers
Rounding is an important part of many fields like mathematics, finance, science, and so on. In this section, we discuss the application of rounding numbers.
- It is used in finance where the values of the currency are rounded for easier transactions. It is also used to calculate the interest rate, estimate the monthly budget, etc.
- In construction, we use rounding to estimate the cost and labor hours for projects.
- To find the approximate values in physics, chemistry, and engineering, we use rounding
Solved Examples of Rounding Numbers
Problem 1
Round 8,472 to the nearest thousand.
8472 can be rounded to the nearest thousand as 8,000
Explanation
Step 1: First, identify the thousands' place value. Here it’s 8.
Step 2: Look at the hundreds' digit. For numbers greater than 5, replace digits to the right of the rounding digit with zeroes.
Here, the number in the hundreds place is 4. So we will replace all the digits with zero.
Therefore, 8,472 becomes 8,000.
Problem 2
Round 5.267 to the nearest tenth.
5.267 can be rounded to the nearest tenth as 5.3
Explanation
Step 1: Find the tenth digit. Here, the tenth digit is 2.
Step 2: Now look to the hundredth digit. It is 6, and 6 is greater than 5, we will round the tenth digit from 2.
So, 5.267 can be rounded as 5.3
Problem 3
Round 9.843 to the nearest hundredth.
9.843 can be rounded to the nearest hundred as 9.84
Explanation
Here the number in the hundred place is 4
The next number on the right side is 3
As 3 is less than 5, it can be rounded as 9.84
Problem 4
Round $19.67 to the nearest dollar.
$19.67 can be rounded to the nearest dollar as $20
Explanation
Here, 19 is dollar part and 67 is in cent part
As 67 cent is greater than 50 so it can be rounded as 1 dollar
So, $19.67 can be rounded to $20.
Problem 5
Round 2,365 to the nearest hundredth.
2,365 can be rounded to the nearest hundredth as 2400
Explanation
Identify the nearest hundred place value, which is 3 in this case. See if the digit right to 3 is greater than or lesser than 5. Since 6 is greater than 5, increase 3 by 1 and convert the digits right to 3 to zeros. Therefore, 2365 becomes 2400.
FAQs on Rounding Numbers
1.What is a rounding number?
2.What is 3.247 rounded to 1 decimal place?
3.What is 4.947 rounded to 2 decimal places?
4.What is the five rounding rule?
5.What is 248.561 rounded to 2 decimal places?
6.How can children in Bahrain use numbers in everyday life to understand Rounding Numbers?
7.What are some fun ways kids in Bahrain can practice Rounding Numbers with numbers?
8.What role do numbers and Rounding Numbers play in helping children in Bahrain develop problem-solving skills?
9.How can families in Bahrain create number-rich environments to improve Rounding Numbers skills?
Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana
About the Author
Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana has almost two years of teaching experience. She is a number ninja as she loves numbers. Her interest in numbers can be seen in the way she cracks math puzzles and hidden patterns.
Fun Fact
: She loves to read number jokes and games.
