Round 748.96 to the nearest hundred.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To round 748.96 to the nearest hundred, follow these steps:
1. Identify the place value to which you’re rounding.
In this case, we are rounding to the nearest hundred, so we focus on the hundreds place. The number 748.96 has the following digits:
- 7 in the hundreds place
- 4 in the tens place
- 8 in the ones place
- 9 in the tenths place
- 6 in the hundredths place
2. Look at the tens place to decide how to round.
The rounding rule is that:
- If the digit in the place to the right of the place you’re rounding to (in this case, the tens place) is 5 or greater, you round up.
- If the digit in the place to the right of the place you’re rounding to is less than 5, you round down.
In 748.96, the tens place is 4, which is less than 5.
3. Apply the rounding rule.
Since the tens place is less than 5, you round down. This means you leave the hundreds digit (7) as it is and change all digits to the right of it to zero.
4. Final result.
After rounding, 748.96 becomes 700 when rounded to the nearest hundred.
Explanation:
Rounding is a process used to simplify a number while keeping it as close to the original value as possible. When rounding to a specific place value, such as the nearest hundred, the number is adjusted based on the digit in the next smaller place value. In this case, we examine the tens place (4), and since it’s less than 5, we round down, keeping the hundreds place (7) and changing all digits to the right of it to zero. Rounding is particularly useful when dealing with large numbers or when approximating values in measurements, financial calculations, or estimations. It helps to make calculations easier without significantly affecting the result.