Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Rounding Decimals: Free Printable Worksheet for Year 5
- ForYear 5
- StageKey Stage 2
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Rounding Decimals is a free printable maths worksheet for Year 5 (ages 9 to 10), in Key Stage 2. Children round decimal numbers to the nearest whole number and to one decimal place. It takes about 15 minutes, needs only a pencil, and page 2 gives the grown-up notes, help ideas, a stretch task and the answers.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children work through a list of rounding questions. Some ask for the nearest whole number. Others ask for one decimal place. The decimals have one or two places, so children must decide which digit to look at each time. There is space beside every question to write an answer. The sheet is practice, so children can think, check and try again.
- Round 3.6 to the nearest whole number
- Round 5.2 to the nearest whole number
- Round 7.5 to the nearest whole number
- Round 12.49 to the nearest whole number
- Round 3.64 to one decimal place
- Round 8.27 to one decimal place
- Round 4.05 to one decimal place
- Round 6.98 to one decimal place
A worked example
Round 14.83 to the nearest whole number. Then round 14.83 to one decimal place.
This question is different from the ones on the sheet. It shows two ways children can work.
Method 1: look at the next digit- For the whole number, the rounding place is the ones digit, 4. Look at the digit to its right, which is 8.
- 8 is 5 or more, so the 4 goes up to 5. The answer is 15.
- For one decimal place, the rounding place is the tenths digit, 8. Look at the digit to its right, which is 3.
- 3 is less than 5, so the 8 stays the same. The answer is 14.8.
- For the whole number, draw a line from 14 to 15 and mark the halfway point, 14.5.
- 14.83 is past the halfway point, so it is closer to 15.
- For one decimal place, draw a line from 14.8 to 14.9 and mark the halfway point, 14.85.
- 14.83 is before the halfway point, so it is closer to 14.8.
Why learn to round decimals?
Rounding means swapping a number for a simpler one that is close to it. We do it all the time. We say a journey is about 5 miles, or a drink costs about 2 pounds. Rounded numbers are easier to hold in your head and easier to compare. They are a good way to check whether an exact answer is sensible.
Rounding decimals depends on place value. Each digit has a value that depends on its position, so tenths and hundredths are different sizes. To round, children choose the place they want, then look one place to the right to decide whether to keep the digit or go up. A number line helps them see which two numbers they are choosing between.
Skills and curriculum link
- Place value
- Rounding to the nearest whole number
- Rounding to one decimal place
- Reading decimals
- Reasoning about size
Ideas that help with rounding
- Choose the rounding placeDecide first which place you are rounding to. Whole number means the ones digit. One decimal place means the tenths digit. Colour it so you do not lose it.
- Look next doorOnly the digit to the right of the rounding place decides what happens. Digits further along do not change the choice.
- Use a number lineDraw the two possible answers at each end and mark the halfway point. Then decide which end your number is closer to.
- Check it makes senseA rounded number should be close to the original. If your answer is far away, go back and check which digit you looked at.
Key words
- RoundChange a number to a simpler one that is close to it.
- NearestClosest. Rounding to the nearest whole number means picking the whole number your number is closest to.
- Whole numberA number with no parts, such as 8 or 21.
- Decimal pointThe dot that separates the whole number from the parts of a whole.
- TenthsThe first digit after the decimal point. In 2.9 the 9 is 9 tenths.
- Decimal placeA position after the decimal point. One decimal place means one digit after the point.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Read the first question together. Ask your child which place they are rounding to and to colour that digit.
- Remind them to look at the digit to the right. If it is 5 or more, round up. Otherwise the digit stays the same.
- Let them finish page 1 alone. It should take about 15 minutes. Then check together using page 2.
- Ask, "How did you decide?" Come back another day and redo any that felt tricky.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Draw a number line between two whole numbers and mark the halfway point. Place the decimal on it and see which end is closer. Colour the rounding digit and underline the digit to its right. Try a few questions first, then return to the rest.
To stretch confident children
Write three different decimals with two decimal places that all round to 2.7 to one decimal place. Then find the smallest and the largest number that could work. Explain to a partner how you know there are no smaller or larger ones.
Make it a game
Roll two dice and make a decimal such as 5.2 with the first die as the whole number. Roll a third die for a hundredths digit. Round the number to one decimal place. Score a point when your partner agrees. First to 10 wins.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child looks at the digit they are rounding, not the digit to its right.
Try thisColour the rounding digit, then underline the one next to it. Say, "I only use the underlined digit to decide."
Watch forA child cuts off the extra digits without rounding, so 2.68 becomes 2.6 to one decimal place.
Try thisDraw a number line from 2.6 to 2.7 and mark the halfway point. Place 2.68 and see which end it sits closer to.
Watch forA child rounds up a 9 in the tenths place and writes 10 in the tenths column, such as 2.10 for 2.97.
Try thisTalk about tenths. 9 tenths and 1 more tenth makes 10 tenths, which is 1 whole. So the ones digit goes up and the tenths digit becomes 0.
Talk about it
- Which digit did you look at to decide, and why that one?
- How can a number line help you see which way to round?
- Where do we see rounded numbers in shops, on signs or in sport?
- Does a rounded number always look different from the original? Why or why not?
- How is rounding to the nearest whole number different from rounding to one decimal place?
- How could you check that your rounded answer is sensible?
Take it off the page
Pretend shop
Write prices with pence on small cards. Take turns choosing a card and rounding the price to the nearest pound. Your partner checks using a number line.
Floor number line
Make a number line on the floor with chalk outside, or with paper strips indoors. Stand on a decimal and step to the whole number it is closest to.
Measure and round
Use a ruler or tape measure to measure objects in centimetres. Write each length as a decimal and round it to the nearest whole centimetre.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first question, then let them lead. About 15 minutes is plenty. If they get stuck, draw a number line together and ask which end the decimal is closer to.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, a plenary after teaching rounding decimals, an early finisher task or a homework sheet. Page 2 has support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups, plus answers for quick marking.
Home educators
Print it as part of a wider maths plan. It pairs well with real life number work, such as prices and measuring. Reprint it for brothers and sisters, or use it for revision a few weeks later.
Where rounding decimals fits
Before this, children learn place value for whole numbers and meet tenths and hundredths. They round whole numbers to the nearest 10, 100 and 1000. These ideas give them the habit of looking at the digit to the right.
After this, children use rounding to estimate answers and check calculations. They apply it to larger numbers and to more decimal places. In Year 6 they keep building on place value and number sense.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Rounding Decimals for?
It is written for Year 5 (ages 9 to 10), in Key Stage 2. It also works for confident Year 4 children, or as revision for older children who need more practice with decimals.
- What will children practise?
Children round decimal numbers to the nearest whole number and to one decimal place. They use place value to decide which digit to look at and whether to round up or keep the digit.
- How long does it take?
It takes about 15 minutes for one child working alone. Work through it together the first time, then let your child try alone. Short bursts work better than long sessions.
- What if my child finds it hard?
Try a number line. Draw the two nearest numbers at each end, mark the halfway point and place the decimal on the line. Colouring the rounding digit also helps. Page 2 has more support ideas.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or revision, and share it with a class.
- Is it suitable for teachers to use in class?
Yes. Use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and page 2 has answers and ideas for support and stretch.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. A coloured pencil is useful for marking the rounding digit, but it is not needed.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.