Question

Express the following decimals to the nearest hundredth. 1.427 ______

Short answer

1.43

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Hundredth Place

In the decimal 1.427, the hundredth place is the second digit after the decimal point. Here, it is '2'.

Check the Next Digit

The next digit after the hundredth place is the third digit, which is '7'. This digit will determine if we round up or down.

Apply Rounding Rules

Since the digit '7' is greater than or equal to 5, we round up the hundredth place by 1. Thus, '2' becomes '3'.

Write the Rounded Number

After rounding, we finalize the number as 1.43 because the hundredth digit '2' increased to '3'.

Key concepts

Decimal Places

When dealing with decimals, it's crucial to understand the concept of decimal places. Decimal places refer to the number of digits that appear after the decimal point in a number. Each position represents a fractional part of a whole.
- The first digit after the decimal point is known as the tenths place. - The second digit is the hundredths place. - The third digit is the thousandths place, and so on.
In our example of rounding 1.427, the hundredths place is the digit '2'. Understanding decimal places helps in identifying the correct position we are dealing with when rounding a number. Paying attention to these positions allows one to accurately apply rounding techniques.

Rounding Rules

Rounding is a technique used to simplify numbers, making them easier to work with while still retaining significant value. Rounding rules are simple guidelines that determine whether a specific digit will increase or stay the same.
When rounding decimals, focus on the digit of interest and the one immediately afterward:

• If the digit immediately after is 5 or greater, increase the digit of interest by 1.
• If it is less than 5, leave the digit of interest unchanged.

In the exercise, rounding 1.427 involves the digit '7' that follows the hundredths place '2'.
Since '7' is greater than 5, it instructs us to increase '2' by 1, resulting in 1.43.

Mathematics Education

Mathematics education encompasses teaching and learning the principles and practices of math, a crucial skill in problem solving and everyday life. Learning how to round decimals is a foundational skill taught early on in math education.
Rounding helps in estimating calculations quickly and can be applied in numerous real-world contexts like measuring distances, statistical data, or managing finances.
In a classroom or self-learning setting, mastering decimal places and rounding rules enhances a student's overall math capability. It builds confidence and allows for more complex mathematical concepts to be tackled with ease.
An understanding of these basic concepts through exercises such as rounding to the nearest hundredth ensures that foundational math skills are solid.