Rounding Numbers
To approximate or round a number to a given place value,
remember the following poem…
Find your number,
Look right next door.
4 or less, just ignore.
5 or more, add 1 more.
For example:
Round 68 971 to the nearest ten thousand.
Step 1: Find the number in the given place value you are being asked to round to
and circle it.
Ten thousands place
68 971
Step 2: Underline the digit right next door(to the right). This number will help you
decide whether or not to round up or down.
68 971
Step 3: If the digit to the right is 4 or less, just ignore it. If it is 5 or more, add
one more to the circled number.
68 971
Step 4: Because 8 is larger than 4, add one to the digit of the place value you are
rounding to (the circled digit). Then replace the remaining digits with zeros.
68 971
+1
Answer: So, 68 971 rounded to the nearest ten thousand would be 70 000.
***If the underlined digit were 4 (64 971), then…
64 971 rounded to the nearest ten thousand would be 60 000. We do not subtract
one, we keep the circled number the same.