Rounding Decimals to the Nearest Tenths

Rules for rounding decimals to the nearest tenths:

● To round a decimal analyse the digit at the hundredths place.

● If the hundredths place value is 5 or more than 5, then the digit at the tenths place increases by 1 and the digits at the hundredths place and thereafter becomes zero.

For example;

(i) 6.05 →

In 6.05 analyse the digit at the hundredths place. Here 5 is equal to 5. Therefore we have to round the decimal number up to the nearest tenths 6.1

(ii) 17.273 →

In 17.273 analyse the digit at the hundredths place. Here 7 is more than 5. Therefore we have to round the decimal number up to the nearest tenths 17.3.

● If the hundredths place value is less than 5, then the digit at the tenths place remains unchanged and the digits at the hundredths place and thereafter become zero.

For example;

(i) 11.21 →

In 11.21 analyse the digit at the hundredths place. Here 1 is less than 5. Therefore we have to round the decimal number down to the nearest tenths 11.2

(ii) 73.83 →

In 73.83 analyse the digit at the hundredths place. Here 3 is less than 5. Therefore we have to round the decimal number down to the nearest tenths 73.8

Worked-out examples on rounding decimals to the nearest tenths:

To round a decimal number to the nearest tenths follow the explanation step-by-step how to round up or round down the decimal to the nearest tenths.

Round off the following to the nearest tenths:

(a) 7.564

Solution:

Rounding off 7.564 to the nearest tenths, we observe the digit at the hundredths place value.

The digit at the hundredths place is 6 and 6 > 5.

The digit at the tenths place increases by 1 and the digits at the hundredths and thousandths place become 0 (rounded up).

Therefore, 7.564 rounded off to the nearest tenths as 7.6

(b) 11.04

Solution:

Rounding off 11.04 to the nearest tenths, we observe the digit at the hundredths place value.