GCSE Maths Practice: place-value-and-rounding

Question 5 of 10

This question checks rounding a decimal to the nearest whole number. It is a key GCSE foundation skill that supports estimation and everyday numerical reasoning.

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\( \begin{array}{l}\text{Round }548.27\text{ to the nearest whole number.}\end{array} \)

Choose one option:

Common mistake: Rounding to the nearest ten instead of a whole number. Visualise the number between 548 and 549 on a number line — since 548.27 is closer to 548, it rounds down.

Try more: 6.49, 7.51, 123.5.

Rounding to the nearest whole number is common in real life — prices, measurements, and estimates. Focus on the tenths digit. If it is 5 or more, increase the ones digit by 1. If it is 4 or less, keep the ones digit the same. Avoid rounding twice (for example, do not round 548.27 to 548 and then again to 550).

Worked Examples

Example 1: Round 73.68 to the nearest whole number.

  1. Identify the ones digit: 3.
  2. Check the tenths digit: 6.
  3. Because 6 is greater than or equal to 5, round the ones digit up by 1.
  4. Therefore, 73.68 rounds up to 74.

Example 2: Round 45.24 to the nearest whole number.

  1. The ones digit is 5 and the tenths digit is 2.
  2. Since 2 is less than 5, keep the ones digit the same.
  3. Therefore, 45.24 rounds down to 45.

Rounding helps you judge if answers are reasonable in multi-step problems or when estimating totals quickly — useful in shopping, science experiments, or mental maths checks.