Rounding numbers is a fundamental skill in mathematics that helps simplify numbers while maintaining their value close to the original. In this article, we will focus on how to round the number 3.47 to the nearest hundredth.
Understanding Place Values
Before we dive into the rounding process, it’s essential to understand what a hundredth is. In the decimal number system:
- The tenths place is the first digit after the decimal point.
- The hundredths place is the second digit after the decimal point.
For the number 3.47:
- The digit in the tenths place is 4.
- The digit in the hundredths place is 7.
Rounding Rules
To round to the nearest hundredth, we follow these simple rules:
- Identify the digit in the hundredths place (which is 7 in our example).
- Look at the digit immediately to the right (the thousandths place). If it's 5 or greater, we round up the hundredths place by one. If it's less than 5, we leave the hundredths place digit unchanged.
Applying the Rules
For the number 3.47:
- The digit in the hundredths place is 7.
- Since there are no digits to the right (we can consider it as a 0 if not present), we can treat it as if we're rounding from 3.470.
Since there's no digit to influence the rounding (treating the next digit as 0), we simply keep the hundredths place as 7.
Final Result
Thus, when rounding 3.47 to the nearest hundredth, it remains 3.47.
Conclusion
Rounding numbers helps in various fields, from finance to science, by simplifying figures for easier comprehension. In this case, rounding 3.47 to the nearest hundredth has maintained its value as 3.47. Understanding rounding will aid in clearer communication of numerical values in your everyday calculations.
