Rounding
Rounding is used to simplify numbers. When rounding we are creating numbers that are
approximate to their original value. The benefit to rounding is that it gives us numbers
that are easier to work with. The downside to rounding is that the numbers will not
always be exact.
Example 1:
We use rounding in our everyday lives. For example, you are hosting a party and are
expecting eighteen (18) guests. You would like to purchase party favors for your guests
but they only come in packages of ten (10). How many packages should you purchase?
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
18 – 10 = 8 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
One package would leave 8 party-goers Two packages would give you enough to
without any party favors. cover 18 guests with 2 left over.
How to Round Numbers
When rounding, numbers can be rounded up or rounded down. This depends on the
neighboring digit of the place value to be rounded.
Note: Review the Place Value Chart below before beginning to round.
Thousands (1000)
Ten thousandths
Decimal Point
Hundreds (100)
Ten thousands
Hundredths (
Thousandths
Ten millions
(10 000 000)
(1 000 000)
Tenths ( )
thousands
Tens (10)
(100 000)
Hundred
Ones (1)
(10 000)
Millions
)
( )
1 3 6 5 2 0 1 8 3 5 7 2
Numbers are getting bigger. Numbers are getting
smaller.
Note: Numbers to the right of the decimal end in “ths” and numbers to the left of the
decimal mostly end in “ands” and “eds”.
Tutoring and Learning Centre, George Brown College YEAR www.georgebrown.ca/tlc
Rounding
When rounding, use the following steps as a guide.
Step 1: Circle the place value of the digit to be rounded. This is the rounding digit.
Step 2: Look to the neighboring digit on the right.
Step 3: a) If the neighboring digit is less than five (0 - 4), keep the rounding digit the
same. This is called rounding down.
b) If the neighboring digit is five or greater (5 - 9), increase the rounding digit
by one. This is called rounding up.
Step 4: a) When rounding to the left hand side of the decimal, all digits to the right
side of the rounding digit will become 0 up until the decimal point.
b) When rounding to the right hand side of the decimal, drop all digits to the
right of the rounding digit.
Exercise 1: Round the following number to the thousandths place value.
ten thousandths
ten thousands
Decimal point
thousandths
hundredths
thousands
thousands
hundreds
Round to the
hundred
nearest
tenths
ones
thousandth
tens
Number
3 8 4 3 0 6 4 7 5 3
Rounded Number 3 8 4 3 0 6 4 7 5
Step 1: Circle the digit in the thousandths place value.
Step 2: Look to the neighboring digit on the right.
Step 3: Since the neighboring digit is less than 5, the thousandths digit
stays the same.
Step 4: Everything to the right of the thousandths place value gets cut off.
Tutoring and Learning Centre, George Brown College YEAR www.georgebrown.ca/tlc
Rounding
Exercise 2: Round the number 384306.4753 to the nearest ten.
Step 1: Circle the digit in the tens place value.
Step 2: Look to the neighboring digit on the right.
Step 3: Since the neighboring digit is greater than 5, the tens place value goes up by 1.
Step 4: Digits to the right of the tens place become 0 up until the decimal point.
3 8 4 3 0 6. 4 7 5 3
3 8 4 3 1 0
Exercise 3: Round the number 384306.4753 to the nearest ten thousand.
Step 1: Circle the digit in the ten thousands place value.
Step 2: Look to the neighboring digit on the right.
Step 3: Since the neighboring digit is less than 5, the ten thousands place value stays
the same.
Step 4: Digits to the right of the ten thousands place value become 0 up until the
decimal point.
3 8 4 3 0 6. 4 7 5 3
3 8 0 0 0 0
Exercises:
Round the following numbers to the place value indicated in brackets.
a) 25 (ten) = i) 1.000599 (ten thousandth) =
b) 340.3 (hundred) = j) 0.299 (hundredth) =
c) 5683.09 (tenth) = k) 15.0293 (ten) =
d) 36.407 (hundredth) = l) 8730.52 (thousand) =
e) 0.0032 (tenth) = m) 0.0099 (thousandth) =
f) 8.0109 (hundredth) = n) 452.98 (hundredth) =
g) 489.9 (one) = o) 3.053209 (hundredth) =
h) 55678.036 (thousand) = p) 7534.033 (ones) =
Tutoring and Learning Centre, George Brown College YEAR www.georgebrown.ca/tlc
Rounding
Solutions:
1. Round the following numbers to the place value indicated in brackets.
a) 30 i) 1.0006
b) 300 j) 0.30
c) 5683.1 k) 20
d) 36.41 l) 9000
e) 0 m) 0.010
f) 8.01 n) 452.98
g) 490 o) 3.05
h) 56000 p) 7534
Tutoring and Learning Centre, George Brown College YEAR www.georgebrown.ca/tlc
