Rounding Decimals
Decimals are rounded the same way as whole numbers are rounded.
To round a decimal to a specific place value, first locate that place value digit
in the number. If the digit to the right is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4, the place value digit
remains the same. If the digit to the right of the specific value digit is 5, 6, 7, 8,
or 9, add one to the specific place value digit. All digits to the right of the place
value digit are dropped.
EXAMPLE
Round 0.53871 to the nearest thousandth.
SOLUTION
We are rounding to the thousandths place, which is the digit 8. Since the digit
to the right of the 8 is 7, raise the 8 to a 9 and drop all digits to the right of the
- Hence, the answer is 0.539.
EXAMPLE
Round 83.2146 to the nearest hundredth.
SOLUTION
The digit in the hundredths place is 1 and since the digit to the right of 1 is 4,
the 1 remains the same. Hence, the answer is 83.21.
PRACTICE
- Round 0.38 to the nearest tenth
- Round 0.2324 to the nearest hundredth
- Round 26.4567 to the nearest thousandth
- Round 0.8999 to the nearest ten thousandths
- Round 2.812 to the nearest one
ANSWERS
1. 0.4
2. 0.23
3. 26.457
4. 1
5. 3
CHAPTER 5 Decimals 85