What is 52,437 rounded to the nearest thousand

What is 52,437 rounded to the nearest thousand?

The correct answer and explanation is:

Correct Answer: 52,000

Explanation (300 words):

Rounding numbers helps simplify them while keeping their value close to the original. To round a number to the nearest thousand, we look at the hundreds digit to decide whether to round up or down.

Let’s walk through how to round 52,437 to the nearest thousand:

1. Identify the thousands and hundreds digits:
   • The thousands digit is the fourth digit from the right: 2 (in 52,437).
   • The hundreds digit is the third digit from the right: 4 (this is what we use to decide how to round).
2. Apply the rounding rule:
   • If the hundreds digit is 5 or more, round up.
   • If the hundreds digit is 4 or less, round down.

In 52,437, the hundreds digit is 4. Since 4 is less than 5, we round down.

3. Keep the digits to the left of the thousands place the same, and change all digits to the right to zero:
   • The original number is 52,437.
   • The thousands digit is 2, and since we are rounding down, it stays 2.
   • All digits after the thousands place become zeros.
   So, 52,437 rounded to the nearest thousand is 52,000.

Why Rounding Is Useful:

Rounding is helpful when you want to estimate or simplify large numbers. For example, if someone earns $52,437 annually, and you’re doing a rough estimate for a budget, rounding to $52,000 makes math easier while keeping the value close to the real amount.

Summary:

• Look at the hundreds digit.
• If it’s 5 or more, round up; if 4 or less, round down.
• For 52,437, the hundreds digit is 4 → round down → answer is 52,000.