When rounding a number, what should you do if the cutoff digit is 5 or higher?

When rounding a number, if the cutoff digit is 5 or higher, you should round up. This means that you increase the rounding digit by one to produce a more accurate representation of the number, particularly when considering its proximity to the next whole number. For example, if you are rounding the number 4.5 to the nearest whole number, the digit in the tenths place is 5. Since 5 indicates that the number is halfway between two integers, rounding up results in 5, as it is the next whole number.

This rounding convention helps to minimize rounding errors in calculations, especially when dealing with large sets of data or performing multiple rounds. It ensures that the rounded result reflects the number's true value as closely as possible, maintaining consistency and precision in mathematical operations.