CCSS.Math.Content.5.NBT.A.4
The standard
Use place value understanding to round decimals to any place.
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics · Number and Operations in Base Ten
What this standard means
Students need to round decimals by using place value, not by memorizing a trick only for whole numbers. They should identify the target place, look at the digit to the right, and decide whether the value stays the same or increases by one unit of that place.
Mastery looks like students rounding numbers such as 4.763 to the nearest tenth, hundredth, one, or ten, and explaining the decision with place value words. Students often get stuck lining up digits, dropping needed zeros, or thinking 9.96 rounded to the nearest tenth is 9.10 instead of 10.0.
Ways to teach it
- Give students decimal place value grids and base-ten decimal cards, then have them build 3.486 and round it to each named place.
- Ask students to write which is closer, 5.72 to 5.7 or 5.8, and explain using tenths and hundredths.
- Show five decimals on the board and have students round each to the underlined place on a sticky note.
- Use grocery prices or race times and ask students when rounding to dollars, tenths, or hundredths would make sense.
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Related standards
- CCSS.Math.Content.1.NBT.B
Understand place value.
- CCSS.Math.Content.4.NBT.A.3
Use place value understanding to round multi-digit whole numbers to any place.
- CCSS.Math.Content.2.NBT.A
Understand place value.
- CCSS.Math.Content.3.NBT.A.1
Use place value understanding to round whole numbers to the nearest 10 or 100.