(11) What is 271,403 rounded to the nearest hundred thousand? \( 271,403 \rightarrow \square \)

When rounding 271,403 to the nearest hundred thousand, you first look at the digit in the ten-thousands place, which is 7. Since 7 is greater than 5, you round up. This means you would round up 271,000 to 300,000. So, 271,403 rounded to the nearest hundred thousand is \( 300,000 \). Now, let’s talk about rounding rules! When you’re rounding numbers, always remember the magic number: 5. If the next digit is 5 or more, you round up; if it's less than 5, you round down. It’s like a little tug-of-war where 5 gets to call the shots! Also, rounding isn’t just for math homework; it’s super handy in everyday life! Whether you’re estimating how much time you’ll need for dinner or judging distances during a road trip, rounding helps simplify numbers so you can make quick and efficient decisions. It's a small skill that has huge payoffs!