fractionsDecimals · Year 6 · Suggested learning sequence
Round decimals
Find the place you are rounding to. Look only at the digit straight after it. If that digit is 5 or more, round up; if it is less than 5, round down. Don't round in steps from the end, and when a 9 rounds up it becomes 0 and carries 1 to the left, like 3.96 → 4.0.
Sample questions
Round 12.3 to the nearest whole number.
- 12.3 lies between 12 and 13.
- The deciding digit is the next one along: 3. It is less than 5, so round down.
- 12.3 rounded to the nearest whole number is 12.
Answer: 12
Round 5.6 to the nearest whole number.
- 5.6 lies between 5 and 6.
- The deciding digit is the next one along: 6. It is 5 or more, so round up.
- 5.6 rounded to the nearest whole number is 6.
Answer: 6
Round 6.4 to the nearest whole number.
- 6.4 lies between 6 and 7.
- The deciding digit is the next one along: 4. It is less than 5, so round down.
- 6.4 rounded to the nearest whole number is 6.
Answer: 6