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Rounding to decimal places

When rounding using (dp), the degree of accuracy that is required is usually given. However, there are certain calculations where the degree of accuracy may be more obvious. For example, calculations involving money should be given to two decimal places to represent the pence.

To round to a decimal place:

  1. look at the first digit after the decimal point if rounding to one decimal place or the second digit for two decimal places
  2. draw a vertical line to the right of the place value digit that is required
  3. look at the next digit
  4. if the next digit is 5 or more, increase the previous digit by one
  5. if it's 4 or less, keep the previous digit the same
  6. remove any numbers to the right of the line

Examples

Round 248.561 to 1 decimal place, then round it to 2 decimal places:

  • 248.5|61 to 1 decimal place is 248.6
  • 248.56|1 to 2 decimal places is 248.56

Notice that your answer should have the same number of decimal places as the approximation asked for.

Round 0.08513 to 1 decimal place and then to 2 decimal places:

  • 0.0|8513 to 1 decimal place is 0.1
  • 0.08|513 to 2 decimal places is 0.09

Question

Round 249.5046 to 1 decimal place and then to 2 decimal places.

Question

Round 0.9583 to 1 decimal place and then to 2 decimal places.

Question

Round 598.0535 to 2 decimal places, then to 3 decimal places.