Find the closest nice number. Look at one digit. Round up or down.
The six facts you need
Every rounding question uses one of these. You don't need to remember anything else.
1 · What is rounding?Rounding = finding the closest ‘nice’ number. Like the nearest 10, 100 or 1000.
2 · Nearest 10Look at the ones digit. 5 or more ⇒ round UP. Less than 5 ⇒ round DOWN.
3 · Nearest 100Look at the tens digit. Same rule: 5 or more up, less than 5 down.
4 · Nearest 1000Look at the hundreds digit. Same rule.
5 · HalfwayIf the digit is exactly 5, always round UP. That’s the school rule.
6 · The digit is next doorThe digit you check is always ONE column right of what you’re rounding to.
Worked example 1 - round UP to nearest 10
Round 47 to the nearest 10.
Read it. Round 47 to the nearest 10.
The fact. Look at the ONES digit. 5 or more rounds UP.
47: ones digit is 7.
7 is 5 or more, so round UP.
40 → 50.
Answer: 50
Watch outThe digit you check is ALWAYS one column right of what you’re rounding to.
Worked example 2 - round DOWN to nearest 10
Round 42 to the nearest 10.
Read it. Round 42 to the nearest 10.
The fact. Ones digit less than 5 = round DOWN.
42: ones digit is 2.
2 is less than 5, so round DOWN.
Stay at 40.
Answer: 40
Watch outRounding down keeps the tens digit the same. Just drop the ones back to 0.
Worked example 3 - the halfway rule
Round 35 to the nearest 10.
Read it. Round 35 to the nearest 10.
The fact. When the digit is exactly 5, always round UP.
35: ones digit is exactly 5.
35 is halfway between 30 and 40.
Halfway rule: round UP.
So 35 → 40.
Answer: 40
Watch outHalfway means EQUAL distance from both. We break the tie by going UP.
Worked example 4 - round to nearest 100
Round 264 to the nearest 100.
Read it. Round 264 to the nearest 100.
The fact. For nearest 100, look at the TENS digit.
264: tens digit is 6.
6 is 5 or more, so round UP.
200 → 300.
Answer: 300
Watch outThe ones digit doesn’t matter for nearest 100 — only check the tens.
Worked example 5 - round DOWN to nearest 100
Round 231 to the nearest 100.
Read it. Round 231 to the nearest 100.
The fact. Tens digit less than 5 = round DOWN.
231: tens digit is 3.
3 is less than 5, so round DOWN.
Stay at 200.
Answer: 200
Watch outRounding down to nearest 100 means the tens and ones both become 0.
Worked example 6 - round to nearest 1000
Round 1,758 to the nearest 1000.
Read it. Round 1,758 to the nearest 1000.
The fact. For nearest 1000, look at the HUNDREDS digit.
1,758: hundreds digit is 7.
7 is 5 or more, so round UP.
1,000 → 2,000.
Answer: 2,000
Watch outFor nearest 1000, only the hundreds digit matters — ignore the tens and ones.
Worked example 7 - big-looking numbers still follow the rule
Round 3,499 to the nearest 100.
Read it. Round 3,499 to the nearest 100.
The fact. For nearest 100, only the tens digit matters.
3,499: tens digit is 9.
9 is 5 or more, so round UP.
3,400 → 3,500.
Answer: 3,500
Watch outThe 9 in the ones column can fool you. For nearest 100, only the tens digit decides.
Worked example 8 - when rounding up carries
Round 9,950 to the nearest 100.
Read it. Round 9,950 to the nearest 100.
The fact. Tens digit exactly 5 ⇒ round UP.
9,950: tens digit is 5. Halfway, round UP.
9,900 → 10,000.
Rounding up crossed a whole column. That’s fine.
Answer: 10,000
Watch outWhen you’re near a change of column, rounding up can add a whole extra digit. That’s the correct answer.
Practice · Section A
Nearest 10
Look at the ones digit · 5 or more, round up
Practice · Section B
Nearest 100
Look at the tens digit · Halfway rounds up
Practice · Section C
Nearest 1000 & harder
Look at the hundreds digit · When rounding up carries
Ready for more? 100 questions
When you have done these 12, you are ready for the bigger practice paper.
It has 100 questions. They start very easy and get harder near the end. Every question is still Grade 1 — nothing harder. You can stop at any time and come back.