CMClearMathAcademy

Decimal Place Value and Rounding

A free Pre-Algebra lesson from the “Decimals, Roots, and the Real Number System” unit, with a worked example and practice problems including step-by-step solutions.

Decimals extend the place-value system to numbers smaller than one. The first place to the right of the decimal is tenths, then hundredths, then thousandths. To compare decimals, line up the decimal points and compare from left to right. In Decimals, Roots, and the Real Number System, the goal is not just to get an answer but to recognize the structure of the problem, choose a reliable strategy, and explain why the result is reasonable. The practice set now includes targeted skill work, transfer questions, and mixed review so students build fluency and retention.

What you'll learn

Why it matters: Money, gas prices, race times, and lab measurements all use decimals to a precise place. Rounding to the right place is how change is calculated and how times are reported.

Worked example

Problem. Round 14.268 to the nearest hundredth.

  1. The hundredths digit is 6.
  2. Look at the thousandths digit, which is 8.
  3. Since 8 is 5 or greater, round the hundredths digit up to get 14.27.
  4. Connect the calculation back to Decimal Place Value and Rounding so the method, not just the arithmetic, is clear.

Answer: 14.27

Lesson preview: this page shows 5 practice items. The interactive activity contains 28 practice items and 15 quiz items (typed response and multiple choice). Counts include repeated prompts and variants.

Practice problems

1. What digit is in the tenths place of 4.73?

Show solution
  1. The tenths place is the first digit to the right of the decimal point.
  2. In 4.73, that digit is 7.

Answer: 7

2. Write seven tenths as a decimal.

Show solution
  1. Tenths are one place to the right of the decimal.
  2. Seven tenths is 0.7.

Answer: 0.7

3. Which number is greatest?

Choices: 0.87 · 0.9 · 0.79 · 0.809

Show solution
  1. Write 0.9 as 0.900.
  2. 0.900 is greater than 0.870, 0.790, and 0.809.

Answer: 0.9

4. Round 6.284 to the nearest tenth.

Show solution
  1. The tenths digit is 2.
  2. The hundredths digit is 8, so round 2 up to 3.

Answer: 6.3

5. Round 12.746 to the nearest hundredth.

Show solution
  1. The hundredths digit is 4.
  2. The thousandths digit is 6, so round 4 up to 5.

Answer: 12.75

Practice this interactively with instant feedback and an AI tutor.

Practice Decimal Place Value and Rounding Take the free placement check

More Pre-Algebra lessons