Round any number to the nearest ten (10s place)
| Original Number | Rounded to Nearest 10 | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | 20 | Ones digit (3) < 5, rounds down |
| 67 | 70 | Ones digit (7) ≥ 5, rounds up |
| 125 | 130 | Ones digit (5) rounds up |
| 999 | 1,000 | Rounds up to next thousand |
| 14 | 10 | Ones digit (4) < 5, rounds down |
| 1,234 | 1,230 | Ones digit (4) < 5, rounds down |
Rounding to the nearest ten means finding the closest multiple of 10 to your number. This is one of the most fundamental rounding skills, essential for mental math, estimation, and everyday calculations.
In the number 23, the tens place is "2" (representing 20). The tens digit is the second digit from the right.
The ones place tells you whether to round up or down. In 23, the ones digit is "3".
If the ones digit is 5 or more, round UP. If it's less than 5, round DOWN. Since 3 < 5, round down to 20.
The final step is to make the ones digit zero. 23 becomes 20.
Shopping Estimates: $23.99 rounds to "about $20" for quick mental math
Time Estimates: "47 minutes" becomes "about 50 minutes"
Age Ranges: Someone aged 34 is "in their 30s"
Counting Objects: "67 items" simplifies to "about 70 items"
Test Scores: A score of 83 is "in the 80s"
Number line visualization: Think of tens as markers on a number line (10, 20, 30...). Your number is closer to which marker?
The "5" rule: Numbers ending in 5 (like 25, 35, 45) always round UP to the next ten
Practice pattern: 21-24 round to 20, while 25-29 round to 30
Key digit: Look at the ones place (last digit)
Round up if: Ones digit is 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9
Round down if: Ones digit is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4