What does it mean to round a number to the nearest ten?
Rounding a number to the nearest ten means finding the multiple of ten that is closest to the original number. For example, if we have the number 45 and we want to round it to the nearest ten, we would round it to 50, as it is closer to 45 than 40.
How do we round a number to the nearest ten?
To round a number to the nearest ten, we follow a simple rule. If the digit in the ones place is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4, we round down to the nearest ten. If the digit is 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9, we round up to the nearest ten. Let’s work through some examples to illustrate the process.
Example 1: Round 36 to the nearest ten
The ones digit of 36 is 6, which is greater than 4. Therefore, we round up to the nearest ten, which is 40.
Example 2: Round 82 to the nearest ten
The ones digit of 82 is 2, which is less than 5. Therefore, we round down to the nearest ten, which is 80.
What if the number already ends in a zero?
If the number you are trying to round already ends in a zero, such as 50, 60, or 70, the process remains the same. Since there is no ones digit, we simply look at the digit in the tens place to determine whether to round up or down. If the tens digit is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4, we round down. If it is 5 or greater, we round up.
Example 3: Round 60 to the nearest ten
The tens digit of 60 is 6, which is greater than 4. Therefore, we round up to the nearest ten, which is 70.
Example 4: Round 90 to the nearest ten
The tens digit of 90 is 9, which is greater than 4. Therefore, we round up to the nearest ten, which is 100.
Can we round decimal numbers to the nearest ten?
Yes, we can round decimal numbers to the nearest ten as well. However, we must first convert the decimal number to a whole number before applying the rounding rule. This can be done by moving the decimal point one place to the right.
Example 5: Round 8.3 to the nearest ten
First, move the decimal point one place to the right to get 83. The ones digit is 3, which is less than 5. Therefore, we round down to the nearest ten, which is 80.
In conclusion, rounding a number to the nearest ten is a helpful skill that allows us to simplify calculations and estimate quantities. By understanding the rounding rule and practicing with various examples, we can become proficient in rounding numbers effectively. Whether you are dealing with whole numbers or decimals, rounding to the nearest ten is a versatile tool that will come in handy in many different scenarios.