CCSS.Math.Content.4.NBT.A.3
The standard
Use place value understanding to round multi-digit whole numbers to any place.
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics · Number and Operations in Base Ten
What this standard means
Students need to round whole numbers to any named place, like tens, hundreds, thousands, or ten thousands. They should use place value, not just memorized tricks. They need to identify the rounding place, check the digit to the right, and explain why the number moves up or stays the same.
Mastery looks like accurate rounding with numbers of different lengths, plus clear explanations using place value or number lines. Students often get stuck finding the correct digit to check, changing digits after the rounded place, or rounding every digit instead of only the target place.
Ways to teach it
- Hands-on activity: Give students place value cards and have them build 43,682, then physically replace digits to round to each named place.
- Discussion or writing prompt: Ask, “Why does 46,500 round to 47,000 to the nearest thousand but 46,000 to the nearest ten thousand?”
- Quick assessment: Display 308,749 and ask students to round it to the nearest ten, hundred, thousand, and ten thousand on sticky notes.
- Real-world connection: Use town populations from a state map and have students round each population to the nearest thousand for a simple comparison chart.
Plan a lesson for CCSS.Math.Content.4.NBT.A.3
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Related standards
- CCSS.Math.Content.5.NBT.A.4
Use place value understanding to round decimals to any place.
- CCSS.Math.Content.4.NBT.A
Generalize place value understanding for multi-digit whole numbers.
- CCSS.Math.Content.3.NBT.A.1
Use place value understanding to round whole numbers to the nearest 10 or 100.
- CCSS.Math.Content.3.NBT.A
Use place value understanding and properties of operations to perform multi-digit arithmetic.