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How to Estimate Decimals in Math With Calculators

There are times when exact numbers are necessary. When doing math problems, it can be easy to leave your product as-is, but some instructors want the number rounded. As the work gets harder, calculators become more and more prevalent in math classes, but the answers can get increasingly precise. Accurate answers have numbers that extend well beyond the decimal point, and rounding those longer answers into succinct digits is a skill that can be used beyond the walls of the school.

Instructions

    • 1

      Using your calculator, perform the following multiplication equation: 12.63456 x 13.93842.

    • 2

      Take the product of the equation in Step 1 (176.1058037952) and think about it in four different ways: nearest whole number, nearest tenth, nearest hundredth, and nearest thousandth.

    • 3

      Round 176.1058037952 to the nearest thousandth. You need to round to the third number to the right of the decimal. In this case, the correct answer would be 176.106. The rule of rounding is such that, when the number to the right of your last digit is greater than 5, you change that last number. Since the "5" was followed by an "8," the "5" changes to a "6."

    • 4

      Round 176.1058037952 to the nearest hundredth. As in Step 3, it is imperative to look at the next number beyond the last number that you are rounding from. In this example, your final rounded number will be 176.11, since the number next to "0" is "5."

    • 5

      Round 176.1058037952 to the nearest tenth. Since the number next to "1" is "0," no changes need to be made. This leaves you with 176.1 as the final answer.

    • 6

      Round 176.1058037952 to the nearest whole number. Following the rules, you will be left with 176.

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