Round any number to the nearest hundred (100s place)
| Original Number | Rounded to Nearest 100 | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 150 | 200 | Tens digit (5) rounds up |
| 1,234 | 1,200 | Tens digit (3) < 5, rounds down |
| 5,678 | 5,700 | Tens digit (7) ≥ 5, rounds up |
| 999 | 1,000 | Rounds up to next thousand |
| 49 | 0 | Rounds down to zero |
| 12,550 | 12,600 | Tens digit (5) rounds up |
Rounding to the nearest hundred means finding the closest multiple of 100 to your number. This technique is widely used for estimating large quantities, simplifying statistics, and making quick mental calculations.
In the number 1,234, the hundreds place is "2" (representing 200).
The digit in the tens place tells you whether to round up or down. In 1,234, the tens digit is "3".
If the tens digit is 5 or more, round UP. If it's less than 5, round DOWN. Since 3 < 5, round down to 1,200.
All digits to the right of the hundreds place become zero. 1,234 becomes 1,200.
Population Estimates: "About 12,400 people" rounds to "approximately 12,400"
Sales Reports: "$15,678 in sales" becomes "around $15,700"
Attendance: "3,456 attendees" simplifies to "about 3,500 people"
Inventory: "2,789 items in stock" rounds to "roughly 2,800 items"
Distance: "1,234 miles" becomes "approximately 1,200 miles"
Key digit: Look at the tens place (second digit from the right)
Round up if: Tens digit is 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9
Round down if: Tens digit is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4