Problem 72 Round to the nearest thousandth.... [FREE SOLUTION] (2024)

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The thousandths place in a decimal number is crucial when rounding. It helps us determine the precision of the number. In a decimal, starting from the decimal point, the first digit is the tenths place, the second is the hundredths place, and the third is the thousandths place.
For example, in the number 123.4562, the digits after the decimal point are:

• 4 is in the tenths place.
• 5 is in the hundredths place.
• 6 is in the thousandths place.

Understanding this positional system helps clarify where we need to look when rounding to a specific place value.

Rounding rules may seem simple, but they are vital for accurate mathematical calculations. To round to a specific place, follow these steps:

• Identify the digit at the place value you are rounding to.
• Look at the digit immediately to the right of that place.
• If that digit is 5 or greater, increase the digit you are rounding by one.
• If that digit is less than 5, leave the digit you are rounding unchanged.

Applying these rules to our example, 123.4562, we first identify the digit in the thousandths place, which is 6. Next, we look at the digit immediately to the right, which is 2. Since 2 is less than 5, we keep 6 as it is. Thus, the number 123.4562 rounds to 123.456.

Decimal places represent parts of a whole number. Each step right from the decimal point denotes a smaller fraction.

• The first decimal place is the tenths place, representing 1/10.
• The second decimal place is the hundredths place, representing 1/100.
• The third decimal place is the thousandths place, representing 1/1000.

These places are essential for precision in measurements and calculations. The more decimal places used, the more accurate the representation.
For instance, 123.4 is less precise than 123.456. When rounding, you may need fewer decimal places for simplicity or practicality. By understanding decimal places, it becomes easier to perform accurate rounding and other mathematical operations.