Rounding decimals

Here you will learn about rounding decimals, including how to round to the nearest whole number, tenth, and hundredth.

Students will first learn about rounding decimals as part of number and operations in base 10 in 5th grade.

What is rounding decimals?

Rounding decimals involves making a decimal simpler by shortening it to a given number of decimal places. Rounding decimals is a type of estimation used to make calculations easier.

To round decimals, you can use a number line or you can apply a rule.

The rule says that if the digit to the right of the rounding digit is greater than or equal to 5 (such as, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 ), round up by adding one to the rounding digit. However, when the digit to the right of the rounding digit is less than 5 , leave the rounding digit alone.

For example,

Round \bf{7\underline{8}.6} to the nearest whole number with a number line

Rounding Decimals table image 1

78.6 is 0.6 from 78 and 0.4 from 79. It is closer to 79, so it rounds to 79.

Round \bf{7\underline{8}.6} to the nearest whole number with the rule

Rounding Decimals table image 2
8 is in the rounding place, and 6 is to the right of the rounding digit.

The rule says that if the number to the right of the rounding digit is greater than
or equal to 5 \, (5, 6, 7, 8, 9), round up by adding one to the rounding digit.

6 is greater than 5 , so add 1 to 8, and 8 becomes 9.

7\underline{8}.6 β†’ the nearest whole number is 79

Round \bf{1.\underline{6}1} to the nearest tenth with a number line

Rounding Decimals table image 3

1.61 is 0.1 from 1.60 and 0.9 from 1.70. It is closer to 1.60, so it rounds to 1.6 .

Round \bf{1.\underline{6}1} to the nearest whole number with the rule

Rounding Decimals table image 4
6 is in the rounding place, and 1 is to the right of the rounding digit.

The rule says that if the number to the right of the rounding digit is greater than
or equal to 5 \, (5, 6, 7, 8, 9), round up by adding one to the rounding digit.

1 is less than 5 , so leave the rounding digit the same.

1.\underline{6}1 β†’ Rounded to the nearest tenth is 1.6

What is rounding decimals?

What is rounding decimals?

Common Core State Standards

How does this relate to 5th grade math?

  • Grade 5 – Number and Operations in Base 10 (5.NBT.A.4)
    Use place value understanding to round decimals to any place.

How to round decimals

In order to round decimals with a number line:

  1. Create a number line with a scale one position smaller than the rounding number.
  2. Count to see if the number being rounded is closer to the number rounded down or up.

In order to round decimals with the rule:

  1. Find the rounding place and look at the digit immediately to the right of the rounding place.
  2. When that digit is 5 or greater, add 1 to the rounding digit. When it is less than 5, leave the rounding digit alone.
  3. Drop all the digits to the right of the rounded digit.
  4. Write the rounded number.

[FREE] Rounding Numbers Check for Understanding (Grade 3 to 5)

[FREE] Rounding Numbers Check for Understanding (Grade 3 to 5)

[FREE] Rounding Numbers Check for Understanding (Grade 3 to 5)

Use this quiz to check your grade 3 to 5 students’ understanding of rounding numbers. 10+ questions with answers covering a range of 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade rounding numbers topics to identify areas of strength and support!

DOWNLOAD FREE
x
[FREE] Rounding Numbers Check for Understanding (Grade 3 to 5)

[FREE] Rounding Numbers Check for Understanding (Grade 3 to 5)

[FREE] Rounding Numbers Check for Understanding (Grade 3 to 5)

Use this quiz to check your grade 3 to 5 students’ understanding of rounding numbers. 10+ questions with answers covering a range of 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade rounding numbers topics to identify areas of strength and support!

DOWNLOAD FREE

Rounding decimals examples

Example 1: rounding to the nearest whole number with a number line

Round 2,340.81 to the nearest whole number.

  1. Create a number line with a scale one position smaller than the rounding number.

2,340.81 is being rounded to the nearest whole number, so the number line shows tenths.

Rounding Decimals image 2 US

Since 2,340.81 is 0.01 larger than 0.8, it is a little to the right of 2,304.8.

2Count to see if the number being rounded is closer to the number rounded down or up.

2,340.81 is a little less than 0.2 from 2,341.0.

Rounding Decimals image 3 US

2,340.81 rounded to the nearest whole number is 2,341.

**Note: Rounding decimal numbers does not mean that the answer will always have a decimal point. Notice, when rounding to the nearest whole number, a decimal point is not required.

Example 2: rounding to the nearest tenth with a number line

Round 3.47 to the nearest tenth.

Create a number line with a scale one position smaller than the rounding number.

Count to see if the number being rounded is closer to the number rounded down or up.

Example 3: rounding to the nearest hundredth with a number line

Round 0.176 to the nearest hundredth.

Create a number line with a scale one position smaller than the rounding number.

Count to see if the number being rounded is closer to the number rounded down or up.

Example 4: rounding to the nearest whole number with the rule

Round 33.91 to the nearest whole number.

Find the rounding place and look at the digit immediately to the right of the rounding place.

When that digit is 5 or greater, add 1 to the rounding digit. When it is less than 5, leave the rounding digit alone.

Drop all the digits to the right of the rounded digit.

Write the rounded number.

Example 5: rounding to the nearest tenth with the rule

Round 2.22 to the nearest tenth.

Find the rounding place and look at the digit immediately to the right of the rounding place.

When that digit is 5 or greater, add 1 to the rounding digit. When it is less than 5, leave the rounding digit alone.

Drop all the digits to the right of the rounded digit.

Write the rounded number.

Example 6: rounding to the nearest hundredth with the rule

Round 0.075 to the nearest hundredth.

Find the rounding place and look at the digit immediately to the right of the rounding place.

When that digit is 5 or greater, add 1 to the rounding digit. When it is less than 5, leave the rounding digit alone.

Drop all the digits to the right of the rounded digit.

Write the rounded number.

Teaching tips for rounding decimals

  • When teaching students how to round decimals, start with number lines and do not rush through this phase to get to the rule. The rule begins to make sense naturally, once students spend time seeing it play out on a number line. Rushing to the rule too quickly can lead to misconceptions and mistakes later because students will not understand why the rule works.

  • In order for students to round successfully, they must be proficient in decimal place value. It may be helpful to provide a place value chart as a visual support.

Our favorite mistakes

  • Decreasing the value of the rounding digit when rounding down
    When rounding down, the value of the rounding digit stays the same, it doesn’t decrease.
    For example, Round 4.62 to the nearest tenth. The 2 tells us to round down, so the rounding number stays the same – it does not go down.

    Rounding Decimals image 9 US

  • Getting confused with the place value
    In order to round correctly, students must understand decimal place value or they will confuse the positions when rounding.
    For example, Round 4.51 to the nearest tenth.

    Rounding Decimals image 10 US

  • Incorrectly rounding when 9 is in the rounding digit
    When 9 is the rounding digit and it is rounded up, two place value positions change, instead of just one.
    For example, Round 3.497 to the nearest hundredth.

    Rounding Decimals image 11 US

Practice rounding decimals questions

1. Which is 19.3 rounded to the nearest whole number?

18
GCSE Quiz False

19
GCSE Quiz True

19.4
GCSE Quiz False

20
GCSE Quiz False

19.3 is being rounded to the nearest whole number, so the number line shows tenths.

 

Rounding Decimals image 12 US

 

19.3 is 0.3 away from 19.0.

 

Rounding Decimals image 13 US

 

19.3 rounded to the nearest whole number is 19.

2. Which is 11.49 rounded to the nearest tenth?

11
GCSE Quiz False

11.4
GCSE Quiz False

11.5
GCSE Quiz True

12
GCSE Quiz False

11.49 is being rounded to the nearest tenth, so the number line shows hundredths.

 

Rounding Decimals image 14 US

 

11.49 is 0.01 away from 11.50.

 

Rounding Decimals image 15 US

 

11.49 rounded to the nearest tenth is 11.5.

3. Which is 4.934 rounded to the nearest hundredth?

4.93
GCSE Quiz True

4.92
GCSE Quiz False

4.9
GCSE Quiz False

5
GCSE Quiz False

4.934 is being rounded to the nearest hundredth, so the number line shows thousandths.

 

Rounding Decimals image 16 US

 

4.934 is 0.4 away from 4.930.

 

Rounding Decimals image 17 US

 

4.934 rounded to the nearest hundredth is 4.93.

4. Which is 0.49 rounded to the nearest whole number?

0.4
GCSE Quiz False

0.5
GCSE Quiz False

0
GCSE Quiz True

1
GCSE Quiz False

Find the rounding place and look at the digit immediately to the right of the rounding place.

 

\underline{0}.49 β†’ 0 is in the rounded place (ones place)

 

\underline{0}.49 β†’ 4 is the digit immediately to the right of 0 (tenths place)

 

4 < 5 \; (4 is less than 5), so the rounding digits stays the same.

 

\underline{0}.49 β†’ drop the digits 4 and 9

 

0.49 rounded to the nearest whole number is 0.

5. Which is 2.31 rounded to the nearest tenth?

1
GCSE Quiz False

2
GCSE Quiz False

2.3
GCSE Quiz True

2.4
GCSE Quiz False

Find the rounding place and look at the digit immediately to the right of the rounding place.

 

2.\underline{3}1 β†’ 3 is in the rounded place (tenths place)

 

2.\underline{3}1 β†’ 1 is the digit immediately to the right of 3 (hundredths place)

 

1 < 5 \; (1 is less than 5), so the rounding digits stays the same.

 

2.\underline{3}1 β†’ drop the digit 1

 

2.31 rounded to the nearest tenth is 2.3.

6. Which is 0.267 rounded to the nearest hundredth?

0.266
GCSE Quiz False

0.26
GCSE Quiz False

0.27
GCSE Quiz True

0.2
GCSE Quiz False

Find the rounding place and look at the digit immediately to the right of the rounding place.

 

0.2\underline{6}7 β†’ 6 is in the rounded place (hundredths place)

 

0.2\underline{6}7 β†’ 7 is the digit immediately to the right of 6 (thousandths place)

 

7 > 5 \; (7 is greater than 5), add 1 to the rounding digit, 6 will become 7.

 

0.2\underline{6}7 β†’ drop the digit 7 in the thousandths

 

0.267 rounded to the nearest hundredth is 0.27.

Rounding decimals FAQs

Is estimating numbers the same as rounding numbers?

Rounding can be considered a type of estimating. Both estimating and rounding approximate a number so it is easier to calculate or conceptualize. Estimating is the process of making a guess or calculation, whereas rounding shortens a number to a given position.

Why is the rule to round up when there is a 5 after the rounding digit?

Even though 5 is directly in the middle, it was decided to use the digit 5 to round up. To help visualize this rule, think of the ten digits (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 ) being divided into two groups.

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