Steps and Rules to Convert Decimal to Whole Number with Examples
A number is an arithmetic term used to represent quantity and make calculations. A written symbol like “5”, which represents a number, is known as a numeral.
Whole numbers and decimal numbers are the types of numbers. Whole numbers contain natural numbers and zero, and decimal numbers are numbers that contain whole number parts and fractional parts separated by a decimal (.).
Numbers
Numbers are the mathematical values used for counting, measuring, labelling, and measuring fundamental quantities. They are also known as numerals. Numbers are used in various arithmetic values to carry out various arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and so on that are used in everyday life for calculations.
Types of Numbers
There are many types of numbers -
Natural Numbers - Natural numbers are numbers that start from 1 and end at infinity. They are denoted by ‘N’.
Example - 1, 2, 3,.... & so on.
Whole Numbers - Whole numbers are the numbers that include all natural numbers and 0. They are denoted by ‘W’.
Example - 0, 1, 2, …..& so on.
Decimal Numbers - Decimals are numbers that are divided into two parts: a whole number and a fractional part separated by a decimal point.
Example - 10.5, 5.7, etc.
Prime Numbers - A natural number greater than one with only one and itself as factors. It is denoted by the letter 'P’.
Example - 2, 3, etc.
Composite Numbers - Composite numbers are those numbers that have two or more two factors.
Example - 4, 6, 8, etc.
Whole Numbers
Whole Numbers are natural numbers starting with zero.
Example - 0, 1, 2, ….& so on.
There are some important facts about whole numbers which will help you understand the concept:
All natural numbers are whole numbers.
All counting numbers are whole numbers.
Decimal Numbers
Decimal numbers are one of the types of numbers that include the whole number and the fractional part separated by a decimal point. The decimal point is the dot between the whole number and the fractions.
Example - 34.5 is a decimal number.
34 is a whole number part, 5 is the fractional part and “.” is the decimal point.
Conversion of Decimal to the Whole Number
For rounding decimals to the nearest whole number, there are two major rules:
Analyse the digit at the first decimal place, i.e., the tenth place, to round a decimal to the nearest whole number.
If the tenth place value is 5 or greater, the digit in the one's place increases by one, and the digits in the tenth place become 0.
Example - Convert 5.7 into a whole number.
In 5.7, analyse the digit at the tenth place. Here 7 is more than 5. Therefore, we have to round off the number up to the nearest whole number, 6.
Practice Questions
Convert the following decimal number into whole numbers -
24.62
9.42
52.74
4.33
Solve - 1. In 24.62, analyse the digit at the tenth place. Here 6 is more than 5. Therefore we have to round off the number up to the nearest whole number, 25.
Solve - 2. In 9.42, analyse the digit at the tenth place. Here 4 is less than 5. Therefore we have to round off the number up to the nearest whole number, 9.
Solve - 3. In 52.74, analyse the digit at the tenth place. Here 7 is more than 5. Therefore we have to round off the number up to the nearest whole number, 53.
Solve - 4. In 4.33, analyse the digit at the tenth place. Here 3 is less than 5. Therefore we have to round off the number up to the nearest whole number 4.
Conclusion
In our daily lives, we employ both whole and decimal numbers for calculations. Whether it is a whole number or a decimal number, we encounter these in our daily life. This article taught us how to change decimal values into whole numbers.
FAQs on How To Convert a Decimal To a Whole Number Easily
1. How do you convert a decimal to a whole number?
To convert a decimal to a whole number, round the decimal to the nearest whole number or remove the decimal part depending on the requirement.
Common methods include:
- Rounding: If the digit in the tenths place is 5 or more, round up; if it is less than 5, round down.
- Truncation: Simply remove the decimal part without rounding.
2. What is the rule for rounding decimals to whole numbers?
The rule for rounding decimals to whole numbers is to check the tenths digit.
- If the tenths digit is 5 or greater, increase the whole number by 1.
- If the tenths digit is less than 5, keep the whole number the same.
3. How do you round a decimal up to the nearest whole number?
To round a decimal up to the nearest whole number, increase the whole number by 1 if the decimal part is 0.5 or more.
Steps:
- Look at the tenths digit.
- If it is 5–9, add 1 to the whole number.
- Remove the decimal part.
4. How do you round a decimal down to the nearest whole number?
To round a decimal down to the nearest whole number, keep the whole number unchanged if the decimal part is less than 0.5.
Steps:
- Check the tenths digit.
- If it is 0–4, do not change the whole number.
- Drop the decimal digits.
5. What is the difference between rounding and truncating a decimal?
The difference is that rounding changes the whole number based on the decimal value, while truncating simply removes the decimal part.
- Rounding: 6.7 → 7
- Truncating: 6.7 → 6
6. Can you give an example of converting a decimal to a whole number?
Yes, for example, the decimal 4.8 converts to the whole number 5 when rounded.
Explanation:
- The tenths digit is 8.
- Since 8 is greater than 5, round up.
- The final whole number is 5.
7. How do you convert a negative decimal to a whole number?
To convert a negative decimal to a whole number, apply the same rounding rule while keeping the negative sign.
Example:
- -3.6 rounds to -4 (farther from zero).
- -3.2 rounds to -3.
8. Is 5.0 considered a whole number?
Yes, 5.0 is equal to the whole number 5 because the decimal part is zero.
Explanation:
- Whole numbers include 0, 1, 2, 3, and so on.
- 5.0 has no fractional value.
- Therefore, 5.0 = 5.
9. Why do we round decimals to whole numbers?
We round decimals to whole numbers to make calculations simpler and to give an approximate value that is easier to use.
Common reasons include:
- Estimating sums or differences.
- Reporting measurements (e.g., 9.7 cm ≈ 10 cm).
- Simplifying financial or statistical data.
10. What happens if the decimal is exactly 0.5?
If the decimal part is exactly 0.5, you round up to the next whole number using the standard rounding rule.
Example:
- 2.5 rounds to 3.
- 7.5 rounds to 8.
