Final answer:
To round a number to the nearest whole number, we look at the tenths place digit. If it is less than 5, we round down; if it is 5 or greater, we round up. The number 17.4 rounds down to 17 because the tenths place is 4.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking about rounding a number with a digit in the hundredths place to the nearest whole number. To round to the nearest whole number, we look at the digit in the tenths place. If it is 5 or greater, we round up; if it is less than 5, we round down.
Let's analyze the choices given by the student:
- 17.3 - Here, the tenths place is 3, which is less than 5, so if we round it, we get 17.
- 17.2 - The tenths place is 2, also less than 5, so rounded down it remains 17.
- 17.5 - The tenths place is 5, which means we round up, resulting in 18.
- 17.6 - Here, the tenths place is 6, greater than 5, so rounded up it becomes 18 as well.
Therefore, when rounding 17.4 to the nearest whole number based on the hundredths place digit, the correct answer is Option A) 17.3 because 17.4 would round down to 17 since the tenths digit is less than 5.