round 7.53 to the nearest whole number

round 7.53 to the nearest whole number

The correct answer and explanation is:

The number 7.53 rounded to the nearest whole number is 8.

Explanation:

Rounding is a mathematical process used to reduce the digits in a number while keeping its value close to what it was. When rounding to the nearest whole number (also called rounding to the nearest integer), we look at the digit immediately after the decimal point (the first digit to the right of the decimal).

Here’s the general rule for rounding to the nearest whole number:

• If the first digit after the decimal point is 5 or greater, round up to the next whole number.
• If the first digit after the decimal point is less than 5, round down and keep the whole number part as it is.

Let’s apply this to the number 7.53:

1. Identify the whole number part: 7
2. Look at the first decimal digit: 5 (since 7.53 has digits ‘5’ and ‘3’ after the decimal, the first is ‘5’)

Because the digit is 5, the rule tells us to round up. So, we add 1 to the whole number part:

7 + 1 = 8

Thus, 7.53 rounded to the nearest whole number is 8.

Why is this rule used?

The idea behind rounding is to approximate the number to a simpler form that’s easier to work with, but still close to the original value. The cutoff point of 5 is chosen because:

• Numbers with digits less than 5 (like 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4) are closer to the lower whole number.
• Numbers with digits 5 or greater (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) are closer to the higher whole number.

For example:

• 7.49 would round down to 7 (because 4 < 5)
• 7.50 would round up to 8 (because 5 ≥ 5)
• 7.53 also rounds up to 8 (because 5 ≥ 5, and the subsequent digits do not affect the first decimal place rule)

Summary:

• Number: 7.53
• Rounding digit: 5 (first decimal digit)
• Rounding action: Round up
• Result: 8

Rounding is a fundamental skill used in many everyday applications like estimating costs, measurements, statistics, and simplifying data for easier interpretation.