Round any number to the nearest thousand (1000s place)
| Original Number | Rounded to Nearest 1,000 | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1,500 | 2,000 | Hundreds digit (5) rounds up |
| 12,345 | 12,000 | Hundreds digit (3) < 5, rounds down |
| 67,890 | 68,000 | Hundreds digit (8) ≥ 5, rounds up |
| 999 | 1,000 | Rounds up to thousand |
| 499 | 0 | Rounds down to zero |
| 125,678 | 126,000 | Hundreds digit (6) ≥ 5, rounds up |
Rounding to the nearest thousand means finding the closest multiple of 1,000 to your number. This technique is essential for working with large numbers, making estimates in business and finance, and simplifying statistical data.
In the number 12,345, the thousands place is "2" (representing 12,000). This is the fourth digit from the right.
The digit in the hundreds place determines whether to round up or down. In 12,345, the hundreds digit is "3".
If the hundreds digit is 5 or more, round UP. If it's less than 5, round DOWN. Since 3 < 5, round down to 12,000.
All digits to the right of the thousands place become zero. 12,345 becomes 12,000.
Annual Revenue: "$1,234,567 in sales" becomes "approximately $1,235,000"
Population: "City population: 87,432" rounds to "about 87,000 residents"
Real Estate: "Home value: $456,789" simplifies to "roughly $457,000"
Company Size: "12,678 employees" rounds to "approximately 13,000 employees"
Distance: "Flight distance: 3,456 miles" becomes "about 3,000 miles"
Comma placement: The thousands place is the first digit BEFORE the first comma from the right
Critical digit: Focus on the hundreds digit (the digit right after the comma)
500 milestone: Any number with 500 or more in the hundreds place rounds UP
Key digit: Look at the hundreds place (digit after the first comma)
Round up if: Hundreds digit is 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9
Round down if: Hundreds digit is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4