Round 13.045 to the nearest tenth.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: 13.0
To round the number 13.045 to the nearest tenth, we need to understand how place values work. The tenth place is the first digit to the right of the decimal point. In this number, the digit in the tenths place is 0. To determine whether to round this digit up or keep it the same, we look at the next digit to the right, which is in the hundredths place.
Here is how the number is broken down:
- The whole number part is 13
- The tenths place is 0
- The hundredths place is 4
- The thousandths place is 5
The rule for rounding says that if the digit immediately after the place we are rounding to is 5 or greater, we round the digit up. If it is less than 5, we keep the digit as it is. Since we are rounding to the nearest tenth, we look at the hundredths place.
In 13.045, the hundredths digit is 4. Because 4 is less than 5, we do not round the tenths digit up. It stays the same. This means the digit 0 in the tenths place remains 0, and all digits after it are removed. Therefore, 13.045 rounded to the nearest tenth is 13.0.
It is also important to understand why we write 13.0 instead of just 13. Including the zero after the decimal point shows that we rounded to the tenths place. It provides context and helps us see the level of precision that was used. This is especially important in science, engineering, or finance, where precision matters.
In conclusion, by following the rule of looking at the digit after the tenths place and comparing it to 5, we find that 13.045 becomes 13.0 when rounded to the nearest tenth.
