Rounding a whole number to a specified place replaces it with the nearest multiple of the corresponding power of ten, preserving the digits to the left of that place and changing the remaining digits to zeros. Using place value and a number-line interpretation, the determining digit is less than 5 or at least 5; ties are conventionally rounded up. This scope excludes rounding decimals, negative numbers, or values by significant figures.
Detailed Explanation: Round whole numbers to a specified place
To round a whole number to a specified place:
Find the digit in the place you are rounding to.
Look at the digit immediately to its right. This is the determining digit.
If the determining digit is less than 5, keep the rounding digit the same.
If the determining digit is 5 or greater, increase the rounding digit by 1.
Change all digits to the right into zeros.
Example: Round 48,372 to the nearest thousand.
The thousands digit is 8:
488​372
Look at the digit immediately to its right, the hundreds digit: 3.
Since 3<5, keep the 8 the same.
Change the digits to the right into zeros.
Therefore,
48,372≈48,000
This makes sense because 48,372 is closer to 48,000 than to 49,000.
Learn by doing: Round whole numbers to a specified place
Click a topic below to practice the foundational skills you'll need, learn the steps, or master this skill