Rounding numbers is a useful mathematical process to make figures easier to understand and use. It involves adjusting a number to a certain level of precision. Rounding is especially important in scientific and practical applications where overly precise measurements aren't necessary or feasible.
When rounding to the nearest tenth:
- Look at the digit in the hundredths place (second digit after the decimal).
- If this digit is 5 or more, increase the tenths place by one.
- If it is less than 5, keep the tenths place number unchanged.
In our temperature conversion example, after calculating the Fahrenheit temperature of 4°C, we got 39.2°F. Observing the calculated number, the tenths place is 2, and since the hundredth place is nothing beyond 2, the rounded number remains 39.2°F. Rounding allows the result to be both precise and easy to communicate, which is important in many practical applications.