Decimal place gives the position of a digit in its decimal expansion relative to the decimal point, whole numbers will be to the left of a decimal point and any numbers to the right of a decimal point are the decimal fractions.

One decimal place to the left of the decimal point is the ones place and to the right of the decimal place is the tenths place.

## Decimal Places Chart

Each place in a number has a different place value. Given below is the place value chart.

In the number 273.468, 273 is the whole number in the left and past the decimal we have decimal fractions.

## How to Read Decimal Places?

In the number locate the decimal point and the first digit to the right of decimal point denotes tenths column. Make sure to read the point first and then the digit.
Example: .7 - 'Point seven', is also known as 'seven-tenths'

Count the digits to the right of the decimal point. Suppose if there are two digits past the decimal then it is known to be in the hundredths column. The two digits can be read either individually or as a whole.
Example: .94 - 'Point Ninety-four', is also known as 'Ninety-four hundredths'.

If there are three digits past the decimal point then the number is in thousands column. The three digits can be read either individually or as a whole.
Example: .752 - 'Point seven hundred fifty-two is also known as 'seven hundred fifty-two thousandths'.

## Two Decimal Places

In two decimal places past the decimal point there will be two digits in the number and is known to be in the hundredths column.
While rounding off to two decimal places consider the third digit. If,
• The third digit is < 5 : The second digit should be retained as it is past the decimal.
• The third digit is $\geq$ 5 : Plus one will be added to the second digit.

## Three Decimal Places

In three decimal places past the decimal point there will be three digits in the number and is known to be in the thousandths column.
While rounding off to three decimal places consider the fourth digit. If,
• The fourth digit is < 5 : The third digit should be retained as it is past the decimal.
• The fourth digit is $\geq$ 5 : Plus one will be added to the third digit.

## Rounding Decimal Places

### Solved Examples

Question 1: Round 2.5156 meters to:
• Two decimal places
• Three decimal places

Solution:

Consider 2.5156,
While rounding off two decimal places see that the third digit is 5. Add plus one to the second digit and ignore the other digits.
Therefore, 2.5156 = 2.52 meters.
For three decimal places, the fourth digit(5 = 5) adding plus one we get 6 and we ignore the fourth digit.
Therefore, 2.5156 =2.516 meters.

Question 2: Round 9.24222 to two and three decimal places.
Solution:

Consider 9.24222
We see that past the decimal the third digit is less than 5 so we retain it as it is and ignore the trailing digits.
Therefore, 9.24222 = 9.24
As the fourth digit is also less than 5 retain the third digit as it is and ignore the trailing digits.
Therefore, 9.24222 = 9.242.