Year 4 - Maths
Explain what rounding is and round a 4-digit number to the nearest thousand
Comparing, ordering and rounding 4-digit numbers
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
 In this unit pupils will compare and order 4-digit numbers. They will learn what rounding is and will round 4-digit numbers to the nearest thousand, hundred and ten.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain what rounding is and round a 4-digit number to the nearest multiple of 1,000.
Key Notes
- Rounding is finding the multiple of 1,000 which is closest to the number.
- Identify the next and previous multiples of 1,000 to the number on a number line.
- If the hundreds digit is 5 or more, the number is rounded up to the next multiple of 1,000
- If the hundreds digit less than 5, the number is rounded down to the previous multiple of 1,000
Vocabulary To Learn
- Rounding: Making a number simpler but keeping its value close to what it was.
- Multiple: The result of multiplying a number by an integer. For example, multiples of 100 are 100, 200, 300, 400 etc.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- The tricky part when it comes to rounding is the digit 5: as the number lines in the lesson illustrate, a 4-digit number ending in 500 is equidistant to the previous and next multiples of 1,000
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Solve this in steps: explain the method from this lesson and why each step matters.
Rounding is finding the multiple of 1,000 which is closest to the number. Identify the next and previous multiples of 1,000 to the number on a number line.
2. Use this key word in a maths sentence and explain it clearly. 'Rounding'
Making a number simpler but keeping its value close to what it was. Use this word when showing your method, then check your final answer is reasonable.
3. Spot and fix this common maths mistake.
Mistake: The tricky part when it comes to rounding is the digit 5: as the number lines in the lesson illustrate, a 4-digit number ending in 500 is equidistant to the previous and next multiples of 1,000. Correction: Take time to recognise the convention that when the number is equidistant to the previous and next multiple we round to the next multiple. Use examples and non-examples to show this.
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