Learn on PengiSaxon Math, Intermediate 4Chapter 2: Lessons 11–20, Investigation 2

Lesson 20: Rounding

In this Grade 4 Saxon Math lesson from Chapter 2, students learn how to round whole numbers to the nearest ten and money amounts to the nearest dollar and nearest 25 cents. The lesson uses number lines to visualize how to identify the closest multiple of ten and applies the rule that numbers exactly halfway between two tens round up. Students also practice distinguishing between exact and rounded amounts in real-world contexts.

Section 1

📘 Rounding

New Concept

To round a number to the nearest ten, we choose the closest number that ends in zero.

What’s next

Next, you’ll practice rounding numbers to the nearest ten and money to the nearest dollar and quarter.

Section 2

Rounding to the Nearest Ten

Property

To round a number to the nearest ten, we choose the closest number that ends in zero.

Examples

For example, 8282 is closer to 8080 than 9090, so it rounds to 8080. The number 4747 is closer to 5050. A number like 7575 is exactly halfway, so it rounds up to 8080.

Explanation

Think of it like jumping to the nearest safety platform on a number line, where platforms are numbers like 10,20,3010, 20, 30. If you're exactly halfway between two, the rule is to always jump up!

Section 3

Rounding to the Nearest Dollar

Property

To round money amounts to the nearest dollar, we round up if the number of cents is 5050 or more. We round down if the number of cents is less than 5050.

Examples

An item costing 8.498.49 dollars rounds down to 88 dollars. An item costing 15.9515.95 dollars rounds up to 1616 dollars.

Explanation

Is the change 5050 cents or more? You're closer to the next dollar, so round up! If it's 4949 cents or less, you're closer to the dollar you already have, so round down.

Section 4

Math Language

Property

We often use rounded amounts instead of exact amounts because they are easier to work with and to understand.

Examples

It's easier to say 'about 8080 people attended' instead of '8282 people'. It also helps quickly estimate a shopping total.

Explanation

Why round? It's a mental shortcut that makes numbers clean and simple. Saying 'about 70 dollars' is much quicker for our brains to process and use in calculations than a clunky number like '68.4768.47 dollars'.

Book overview

Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.

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Chapter 2: Lessons 11–20, Investigation 2

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 11: Addition Word Problems with Missing Addends

  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 12: Missing Numbers in Subtraction

  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 13: Adding Three-Digit Numbers, Activity Adding Money

  4. Lesson 4

    Lesson 14: Subtracting Two-Digit and Three-Digit Numbers, Missing Two-Digit Addends

  5. Lesson 5

    Lesson 15: Subtracting Two-Digit Numbers with Regrouping, Activity Subtracting Money

  6. Lesson 6

    Lesson 16: Expanded Form, More on Missing Numbers in Subtraction

  7. Lesson 7

    Lesson 17: Adding Columns of Numbers with Regrouping

  8. Lesson 8

    Lesson 18: Temperature, Activity Measuring Temperature

  9. Lesson 9

    Lesson 19: Elapsed Time Problems, Activity Finding Elapsed Time

  10. Lesson 10Current

    Lesson 20: Rounding

  11. Lesson 11

    Investigation 2: Units of Length and Perimeter, Activity Estimating the Perimeter

Lesson overview

Expand to review the lesson summary and core properties.

Expand

Section 1

📘 Rounding

New Concept

To round a number to the nearest ten, we choose the closest number that ends in zero.

What’s next

Next, you’ll practice rounding numbers to the nearest ten and money to the nearest dollar and quarter.

Section 2

Rounding to the Nearest Ten

Property

To round a number to the nearest ten, we choose the closest number that ends in zero.

Examples

For example, 8282 is closer to 8080 than 9090, so it rounds to 8080. The number 4747 is closer to 5050. A number like 7575 is exactly halfway, so it rounds up to 8080.

Explanation

Think of it like jumping to the nearest safety platform on a number line, where platforms are numbers like 10,20,3010, 20, 30. If you're exactly halfway between two, the rule is to always jump up!

Section 3

Rounding to the Nearest Dollar

Property

To round money amounts to the nearest dollar, we round up if the number of cents is 5050 or more. We round down if the number of cents is less than 5050.

Examples

An item costing 8.498.49 dollars rounds down to 88 dollars. An item costing 15.9515.95 dollars rounds up to 1616 dollars.

Explanation

Is the change 5050 cents or more? You're closer to the next dollar, so round up! If it's 4949 cents or less, you're closer to the dollar you already have, so round down.

Section 4

Math Language

Property

We often use rounded amounts instead of exact amounts because they are easier to work with and to understand.

Examples

It's easier to say 'about 8080 people attended' instead of '8282 people'. It also helps quickly estimate a shopping total.

Explanation

Why round? It's a mental shortcut that makes numbers clean and simple. Saying 'about 70 dollars' is much quicker for our brains to process and use in calculations than a clunky number like '68.4768.47 dollars'.

Book overview

Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.

Continue this chapter

Chapter 2: Lessons 11–20, Investigation 2

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 11: Addition Word Problems with Missing Addends

  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 12: Missing Numbers in Subtraction

  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 13: Adding Three-Digit Numbers, Activity Adding Money

  4. Lesson 4

    Lesson 14: Subtracting Two-Digit and Three-Digit Numbers, Missing Two-Digit Addends

  5. Lesson 5

    Lesson 15: Subtracting Two-Digit Numbers with Regrouping, Activity Subtracting Money

  6. Lesson 6

    Lesson 16: Expanded Form, More on Missing Numbers in Subtraction

  7. Lesson 7

    Lesson 17: Adding Columns of Numbers with Regrouping

  8. Lesson 8

    Lesson 18: Temperature, Activity Measuring Temperature

  9. Lesson 9

    Lesson 19: Elapsed Time Problems, Activity Finding Elapsed Time

  10. Lesson 10Current

    Lesson 20: Rounding

  11. Lesson 11

    Investigation 2: Units of Length and Perimeter, Activity Estimating the Perimeter