How to see it
On the number line the dot sits near the left, so it rounds down. The halfway point is 455,000. Past the halfway point, round up. Before it, round down. In sums, we do not need the line. Find the column you are rounding to, look one digit to the right, and decide. Five or more, round up. Four or less, round down.
A worked example
Round 452,913 to the nearest ten thousand. The ten thousands digit is a 5. One to the right of it is a 2. Two is less than five, so the 5 stays. Everything after it becomes zero. 450,000.
The common mistake: rounding to the wrong column
The trap is rounding to the wrong column. 453,000 is where you land if you round to the nearest thousand. It is a good answer to a different question. Read which column the question asks for first, and underline it.
Try one
Round 623,861 to the nearest ten thousand.
- A630,000
- B624,000
- C620,000
- D600,000
Show the answerHide the answer
Right: C, 620,000
The digit to the right of the 2 is 3, so round down.