Rounding Numbers: Practice Problems & Examples

Hey guys! Today, we're diving into the super important skill of rounding numbers. Rounding makes big, scary numbers easier to work with, and it's something you'll use all the time in everyday life, from estimating grocery bills to figuring out how long it'll take to drive somewhere. So, let's break it down with some examples and practice problems!

Rounding to the Nearest Ten, Hundred, and Thousand

First off, let's tackle the basics of rounding numbers to the nearest ten, hundred, and thousand. The key thing to remember is the rounding rule: if the digit to the right of the place you're rounding to is 5 or more, you round up. If it's 4 or less, you round down. Easy peasy, right?

Example 1: 1,847

Let's take the number 1,847 and see how it rounds to different places:

• Rounding to the nearest ten: Look at the ones digit (7). Since 7 is greater than 5, we round the tens digit (4) up to 5. So, 1,847 rounded to the nearest ten is 1,850.
• Rounding to the nearest hundred: Now, look at the tens digit (4). Since 4 is less than 5, we round the hundreds digit (8) down, which means it stays the same. So, 1,847 rounded to the nearest hundred is 1,900.
• Rounding to the nearest thousand: Look at the hundreds digit (8). Since 8 is greater than 5, we round the thousands digit (1) up to 2. So, 1,847 rounded to the nearest thousand is 2,000.

See how that works? The digit to the right is the one that decides whether we go up or stay down. Let's try another one!

Example 2: 5,253

Now let's round 5,253:

• Rounding to the nearest ten: The ones digit is 3, which is less than 5, so we round down. 5,253 rounded to the nearest ten is 5,250.
• Rounding to the nearest hundred: The tens digit is 5, so we round up. 5,253 rounded to the nearest hundred is 5,300.
• Rounding to the nearest thousand: The hundreds digit is 2, so we round down. 5,253 rounded to the nearest thousand is 5,000.

Example 3: 6,547

One more time, let's round 6,547:

• Rounding to the nearest hundred: The tens digit is 4, so we round down. 6,547 rounded to the nearest hundred is 6,500.
• Rounding to the nearest thousand: The hundreds digit is 5, so we round up. 6,547 rounded to the nearest thousand is 7,000.

Rounding numbers becomes much easier when you practice, and understanding the underlying principles allows for accurate estimation and simplification. Mastering the skill of rounding numbers not only enhances mathematical proficiency but also provides practical applications in real-world scenarios.

Practice Table: Rounding Numbers to Different Places

Okay, now it's your turn to shine! Let's fill out a table to practice rounding numbers to different place values. This will really help solidify your understanding. We'll take a couple of numbers and round them to the nearest ten, hundred, and thousand. Remember the rules, and you'll ace this!

Here's the table we're going to complete:

Let's Break Down the First Number: 364,159

• Rounding 364,159 to the nearest ten: Look at the ones digit (9). Since 9 is greater than 5, we round the tens digit (5) up to 6. So, 364,159 rounded to the nearest ten is 364,160.
• Rounding 364,159 to the nearest hundred: Look at the tens digit (5). Since it's 5, we round the hundreds digit (1) up to 2. So, 364,159 rounded to the nearest hundred is 364,200.
• Rounding 364,159 to the nearest thousand: Look at the hundreds digit (1). Since 1 is less than 5, we round down, meaning the thousands digit (4) stays the same. So, 364,159 rounded to the nearest thousand is 364,000.

Moving on to 253,872

• Rounding 253,872 to the nearest ten: The ones digit is 2, which is less than 5, so we round down. 253,872 rounded to the nearest ten is 253,870.
• Rounding 253,872 to the nearest hundred: The tens digit is 7, which is greater than 5, so we round up. 253,872 rounded to the nearest hundred is 253,900.
• Rounding 253,872 to the nearest thousand: The hundreds digit is 8, which is greater than 5, so we round up. 253,872 rounded to the nearest thousand is 254,000.

Last One: 681,754

• Rounding 681,754 to the nearest ten: The ones digit is 4, which is less than 5, so we round down. 681,754 rounded to the nearest ten is 681,750.
• Rounding 681,754 to the nearest hundred: The tens digit is 5, so we round up. 681,754 rounded to the nearest hundred is 681,800.
• Rounding 681,754 to the nearest thousand: The hundreds digit is 7, which is greater than 5, so we round up. 681,754 rounded to the nearest thousand is 682,000.

The Completed Table:

Alright, we've done all the calculations. Here's the completed table:

This exercise demonstrates the practical application of rounding numbers and how it simplifies complex figures for easier comprehension and use. Regular practice with rounding numbers enhances both mathematical proficiency and the ability to make quick estimations in various real-life situations.

Why is Rounding Numbers Important?

You might be thinking,