Chapter X.

X: Rounding Decimals
Goal: to round decimal numbers to the nearest tenth, hundredth, or whole number, as
applicable, in various contexts

Expectation B1.6
Imagine. . .
(Opening Engagement Question)
Sales Tax
Erika gets a haircut at the salon for $49.50. She usually tips the hairdresser 15%.

How much is the tip?

If tax is 12%, what would be the

total cost to cut Erika’s hair?
Tipping in Canada
Let’s learn more. . .
Review: Rounding
Why Round?
Rounding makes a number simpler to work with (often used when estimating
computations, measuring, and making quick comparisons).
Note: the smaller the unit you round to, the more precise.

Example: Nikita goes to the grocery store and buys the following. She only has $20. Is
this enough?
I could round each item to the nearest dollar to calculate: Compare the
estimates to the
.49 $2 + $7 + $5 + $6 = $20
Bread: $2 actual total cost.
9
Milk: $6.9 BUT if I round to the nearest tenth, I can see Nikita doesn’t have What do you
.49
Eggs: $5 notice?
6.48 enough
Oranges: $
$2.50 + $7.00 + $5.50 + $6.50 = $21.50
 Rounding Decimals
Rounding means making a number “simpler” but keeping its value close to what it was. The
result is less accurate, but easier to use.
Example: Round 3.467 to
Steps to Rounding Decimals
the nearest tenth
1. Find the place value you want (the "rounding digit") and look at
the digit just right of it. rounding digit

3.467
2. Everything to the left of the rounding digit stays the same.

3. If the digit to the right of the rounding digit is less than 5, do

NOT change the rounding digit, and take away all digits to the
right of it.

4. If the digit to the right of the rounding digit is greater than or This number is >5,
equal to 5, add 1 to the rounding digit, and take away all digits Therefore, 3.467
so I need to add one
to the right of it. to the rounding rounded to the
digit (i.e. 4+1 = 5) nearest tenth is 3.5
4.58 6.6

6.72 6.79

8.78 6.87