What is 20.4 to 3 decimal places?
Explanation
When we express a number to a specific number of decimal places, we're showing the number with exactly that many digits after the decimal point. This is different from rounding.
In this case, we're expressing 20.4 to 3 decimal places.
The process involves:
- Keeping all digits up to the specified decimal place
- Dropping any digits beyond that point
- Not rounding based on the dropped digits
In this case:
- The original number is 20.4
- We're rounding to 3 decimal places
- The 3rd digit after the decimal point is 0
- The next digit is 0
- Since the next digit (0) is less than 5, we round down.
Examples of Expressing Numbers to Different Decimal Places
| Original Number | Decimal Places | Expressed Result | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20.4 | 3 | 20.400 | Original input |
| 20.4 | 4 | 20.4000 | One more decimal place |
| 20.40321 | 3 | 20.403 | Slightly modified number |
| 20.4 | 2 | 20.40 | One less decimal place |
If We Round 7.24 rounded to 1 decimal place :
20.4 rounded to 3 decimal places is: 20.400Explanation
When we round a number to a specific decimal place, we're adjusting it to the nearest value with the desired precision. In this case, we're rounding 20.4 to 3 decimal places.
The process involves looking at the digit immediately to the right of the desired decimal place. If this digit is 5 or greater, we round up. Otherwise, we round down.
Expressing to Decimal Places vs. Rounding
It's important to understand the difference between expressing a number to a certain number of decimal places and rounding to that number of decimal places:
- Expressing to decimal places: Simply show the number with the specified number of digits after the decimal point, dropping any additional digits.
- Rounding to decimal places: Consider the next digit after the specified decimal place. If it's 5 or greater, round up; otherwise, round down.
For example:
- 3.45 expressed to 1 decimal place is 3.4
- 3.45 rounded to 1 decimal place is 3.5