Round any number to the nearest ten thousand (10,000s place)
| Original Number | Rounded to Nearest 10,000 | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 15,000 | 20,000 | Thousands digit (5) rounds up |
| 123,456 | 120,000 | Thousands digit (3) < 5, rounds down |
| 567,890 | 570,000 | Thousands digit (7) ≥ 5, rounds up |
| 99,999 | 100,000 | Rounds up to hundred thousand |
| 4,999 | 0 | Rounds down to zero |
| 1,234,567 | 1,230,000 | Thousands digit (4) < 5, rounds down |
Rounding to the nearest ten thousand means finding the closest multiple of 10,000 to your number. This technique is essential for simplifying very large numbers in business reporting, population statistics, government budgets, and high-level financial analysis.
In the number 123,456, the ten thousands place is "2" (representing 120,000). This is the fifth digit from the right.
The digit in the thousands place determines rounding. In 123,456, the thousands digit is "3".
If the thousands digit is 5 or more, round UP. If less than 5, round DOWN. Since 3 < 5, round down to 120,000.
All digits to the right of the ten thousands place become zero. 123,456 becomes 120,000.
Corporate Revenue: "$12,345,678 in annual sales" becomes "approximately $12,350,000"
City Population: "Population: 287,432" rounds to "about 290,000 residents"
Real Estate: "Home value: $456,789" simplifies to "roughly $460,000"
Company Size: "127,678 employees" rounds to "approximately 130,000 employees"
Government Budget: "$1,234,567 allocated" becomes "about $1,230,000"
Place value: Ten thousands is the second digit BEFORE the second comma from the right
Critical digit: Focus on the thousands digit (the digit right AFTER the comma)
5,000 milestone: Any number with 5,000 or more in the thousands place rounds UP
Annual Reports: Simplify financial statements for shareholders
Budget Planning: Round departmental budgets to nearest 10K
Market Analysis: Property values, sales figures, market sizes
Headlines: News reports use rounded figures for readability
Key digit: Look at the thousands place (digit after the comma)
Round up if: Thousands digit is 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9
Round down if: Thousands digit is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4