Rounding by place value

Identify the last place to keep and inspect the next digit. If it is \(5\) or more, increase the retained digit by one; otherwise leave it. Decimal places count digits to the right of the decimal point, including zeros.

Example

\(47.286\approx47.29\) to \(2\) decimal places; \(47.286\approx47.3\) to \(1\) decimal place. To the nearest ten, \(347\approx350\).

Carry correctly across a run of nines: \(9.997\approx10.00\) to \(2\) decimal places. The two zeros record the requested accuracy.

Use \(\approx\) for a rounded value; reserve \(=\) for an exact equality. Round directly from the original value, not from an already rounded intermediate answer.