Maths · Number Sense
Rounding
Round numbers to the nearest 10, 100, and 1,000.
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What is rounding?
Rounding means changing a number to the nearest simple number. We do this to make numbers easier to work with. For example, 47 is close to 50. We round 47 to 50 when we round to the nearest 10. Rounding helps us estimate amounts quickly in everyday life.
Rounding to the nearest 10
Look at the ones digit to round to the nearest 10. If the ones digit is 5 or more, round up. If the ones digit is 4 or less, round down. For example, 34 rounds down to 30 because 4 is less than 5. And 67 rounds up to 70 because 7 is more than 5.
Rounding to the nearest 100
Look at the tens digit to round to the nearest 100. If the tens digit is 5 or more, round up. If the tens digit is 4 or less, round down. For example, 340 rounds down to 300. And 670 rounds up to 700.
Rounding to the nearest 1,000
Look at the hundreds digit to round to the nearest 1,000. If the hundreds digit is 5 or more, round up. If the hundreds digit is 4 or less, round down. For example, 3,400 rounds down to 3,000. And 6,700 rounds up to 7,000.
Why do we round?
Rounding makes big numbers simpler to understand and remember. Imagine a shop has 487 books in stock. The owner might say about 500 books to make it simple. Rounding helps us check if our answers make sense too.
Worked examples
1. Round 384 to the nearest 10.
- Look at the ones digit: it is 4.
- Because 4 is less than 5, we round down.
- 384 rounds down to 380.
2. Round 2,650 to the nearest 100.
- Look at the tens digit: it is 5.
- Because 5 means round up, we increase the hundreds.
- 2,650 rounds up to 2,700.
3. Round 4,320 to the nearest 1,000.
- Look at the hundreds digit: it is 3.
- Because 3 is less than 5, we round down.
- 4,320 rounds down to 4,000.
Try it yourself
Round 756 to the nearest 100.
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