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Indian Standard 
RULES FOR ROUNDING 
NUMERICAL VALUES 
( Revised) 
IS : 2 - X960 
( Rcaflimcd 1590) 
OFF 
Thirteenth Reprint MAY 1992 
UDC 511.135.6 
@ CopVright 1960 
BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS 
MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH WA& MARG 
NEW DELHI llOCMI2 
Gr3 September 1960
IS:2- 1960 
Indian Standard 
RULES FOR ROUNDING OFF 
NUMERICAL TSALUES 
( Revised ) 
Engineering Standards Sectional Committkej EDC 1 
Chairman 
DR K. S. KRISHNAN Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, 
New Delhi 
Members 
SHRI PREMP RAKASHI Alkrnate to 
Dr K. S. Krishnan‘ 
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR 
SHRI BALESHWARN ATH 
DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL OF 
OBSERVATORIES 
DIRECTOR 
SHRI S. B. JOSHI 
SHRI R. N. KAPUR 
DR R. S. KRISIINAN 
SHRI S. R. ME%IRA 
Research, Design & Standardization Organization 
( Ministry of Railways ) 
Central Board of Irrigation & Power, New Delhi 
Directorate General of Observatories ( Ministry of 
Transport & Communications ), New Delhi 
Engineering Research Department, Government of 
Andhra Pradesh 
Institution of Engineers ( India); Calcutta 
Indian Engineering Association, Calcutta 
Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 
Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, 
New Delhi 
SHRI S. N. MUI~ERJI Government Test House, Cnlcutta 
SWRI K. D. BHATTACHARJE(E A lternate ) 
DR B. R. NIJHA~AN Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, 
New Delhi 
SHRI V. R. RAGHAVAN Central Water & Power Commission, New Delhi 
BRIG J. R. SAMSON Controller of Development (Armaments ) ( Ministry 
of Defence ) 
LT-COL R. JANARDHANAM( A lterm& ) 
( Continued on page 2 ) 
BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS 
MANAK BHAVAN. 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAPAR MARG 
NEW DELHI 110002
rs:2-1960 
Mmbcrs 
S&iRI R. N. SARUA Directorate Gcnrral of Supplies & Disposals 
( Ministry of Works, Housing & Supply ) 
SHRI J. M. SIRHA Engineering Association of India, Calcutta 
SHRI J. M. T~EEI,~N Ministry of Transport & Communications ( Roads 
SHRI T. N. BHARGAVA( .lftenzate ) 
Wi;lg ) 
LT-GEN H.~%LLIA~WS Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, 
New Delhi 
DR LAL C. VERMAN ( Ex-oQcio ) Director, IS1 
SFIRI J. P. MEliROTR.4 Deputy Director ( Engg ), IS1 
( AltematG ) 
Secrete&s 
DR A. K. GUPTA Assistant Director ( Stat ), IS1 
SHRI B. N. SINGH Extra Assistant Director ( Stat ), IS1
Indian Standard 
RULES FOR ROUNDING 
NUMERICAL VALUES 
ISr2-1960 
OFF 
( Revised) 
0. FOREWORD 
0.1 This Indian Standard ( Revised ) was adopted by the Indian Standards 
Institution on 27 July 1960, after the draft finalized by the Engineering 
Standards Sectional Committee had been approved by the Engineering 
Division Council. 
0.2 To round off a value is to retain a certain number of figures, cowted 
,from the left, and drop the others so as to give a more rational form to the 
value. As the Ault of a test or of a calculation is generally rounded off 
for the purpose of reporting or for drafting specifications, it is necessary to 
prescribe rules for ‘ rounding off ’ numerical values as also for deciding on 
‘ the number of figures ’ to be retained. 
0.3 This standard was origiually issued in 1949 with a view to promoting 
the adoption of a uniform procedure in rounding 08 numerical values. 
However, the rules given referred only to unit fineness of rounding ( see 2.3 ) 
and in course of years the need was felt to prescribe rules for rounding 
off numerical values to fineness of rounding ‘other than unity. Moreover, 
it was also felt that the discussion ‘on the number of figures to be retained as 
given in the earlier version required further elucidation. The present revision 
is expected to fulfil’these needs. 
0.4 In preparing this standard? refcrcnce has been made?0 the following: 
IS : 787-1956 GUIDE FOR INTER-CONVERSIOON F VALUES FROMO NE 
SYSTEMO F UNITST O ANOTHER. Indian Standards Institution. 
B.S. 1957 : 1953 PRESENTATIOONF NUMERICAVLA LUES( PIN=NESSO F 
EXPRESSIONR;O UNDINQO F NUMBERS). British Standards Insti-tution. 
AME&CAN -STANDARD I, 25.1-1940 RULES FOR ROUNDING OFF 
NUUERICALV ALUES. American Standards Association. 
ASTM DESIGNATIO: NE 29-50 RECOMMENDEPDR ACTICEF OR DESK+ 
NATMG SIONIFICANTP LACESI N SPECIFIEDV ALUES. American 
Society for Testing and Materials. 
JAU~ W. SCARBOROUGHN. umerical Mathematical Analysis., Baiti-more. 
The John Hopkins Press, 1955. 
3
3s : 2 - 1960 
1. SCOPE 
1.1 This standard prescribes rules for rounding off numerical values for the 
purpose of-reporting results of a test, an analysis, a measurement or a cal-culation, 
and thus assisting in drafting specifications. It also makes recom-mendations 
as to the number of figures that should be retained in course 
of computation. 
2. TERMINOLOGY 
2.0 For the purpose of this standard: the i”.4lowing definitions shall apply. 
2.1 Number of Decimal Places -. A value is said to have as many 
decimal placesas there are number of figures in the value, counting from the 
first figure after the decimal point and ending with the last figure on the right. 
Examples: 
Value Decimal Places 
0,029 50 5 
21.029 5 4 
2 ooo$Oo 001 
29 1.00 2” 
10.32 x lo8 2 
( see Note 1 ) 
NOTE I- For the purpose of tliis standard, the expression 10.32 x 10s should be 
taken to consist of two parts, the value proper which is 10~32 and the unit of expression 
for the value, 10% 
2.2 Number of Significant Figures - A value is said to have as many 
number of significant digits ( see Note 2 ) 
left-most non-zero digit and ending with the 
significant figures ai there are 
in the value, counting from the 
right-most digit in the value. 
Examples : 
Value 
o-029 500 
0.029 5 
10.029 5 
2 ooo*ooo 001 
5 677.0 
567 700 
SigniJcani Figures 
5 
: 
10 
5 
6 
56.77 x lo2 4 
0 056.770 
3 900 I 
( see Note 3 ) 
NOTE 2 - Any of the digits, 1, 2. 3 ,..,.. . . . . . . . 9 occurdng in a value shall be a signi-ficant 
digit(s); and zero shall be a significant digit cnly when it is preceded by some
other digit (excepting 
the magnitude of the 
digit. 
IS : 2 - 1960 
zcras ) on its left. When appearing in the pow“’ of 10 to indicatr 
unit in the expression of a value, zero shall not b, a signiIicant 
NOTE 3 - With a view to removing anv ambiguity regarding the signilrcancr, of the 
zeros at the end in a value like 3 900, it would be always desitablr to writ,, thy value in 
the power-of-ten notation. For cuamplr, 3 900 may br written as 3.9 % ICI*, 3.90 x 103 
or 3.900 X 103 depending upon the last figure(s) in the value to which it is drsirrd to 
impart significance. 
2.3 Fineness of Rounding-The unit to which a value is rounded off. 
For example, a value may be rounded to the nearest O*OOO( )I, O*OOO2 , 
O*OOO 5, 0.001, 0.002 5, 0.005, O-01, 0.07, 1, 2.5, 10, 20, 50, 100 or any 
other unit depending on the fineness desired. 
3. RULES FOR ROUNDING 
3.0 The rule usually followed in rounding off a value to unit fincness of 
rounding is to keep unchanged the last figure retained when the figure next 
beyond is less than 5 and to increase by 1 the last figure retained when t!rc 
figure next beyond is more than 5. There is diversity of practice when the 
figure next beyond the last figure retained is 5. In such cases, some com-puters 
’ round up ‘, that is, increase by 1, the last figure retained; others 
’ round down ‘, that is, discard everything beyond the last figure retains-d. 
Obviously, if the retained value is always ‘ rounded up ’ or always ‘ mund-ed 
down ‘, the sum and the average of a series of values so rounded will 
be larger or smaller than the corresponding sum or average of the unround-ed 
values. However, if rounding off is carried out in accordance with the 
rules stated in 3.1 in one step (gee 3.3 ), the sum and the average of the 
rounded values would be more nearly correct than in the previous cases 
( see Appendix A .) . 
3.1 Rounding Off to Unit Fineness - In case the fineness of rounding is 
unity in the last place retained, the following rules shall be followed: 
Rule I- When the figure next beyond the last figure or place to 
be retained is less than 5, the figure in the last place retained shall be 
left unchanged. 
Rule II--When the figure next beyond the last figure or place 
to be retained is more than 5 or is 5 followed by any figures other 
than zeros, the figure in the last place retained shall hc increased 
by 1. 
Rule III --. When the figure next beyond the last figure or place 
to be retained is 5 alone or 5 followed by zeros only, the figure in the 
last place retained shall be (a) increased by 1 if it is odd and (b) left 
unchanged if even ( zero would be regarded as an even number for 
this purpose ). 
5
IS:Z-1960 
Some examples illustrating the application of Rules I to III are given 
in Table I. 
TABLE I EXAMPLES OF ROUNDING OFF V.UJJES TO UNIT FINENESS 
VALUE FINENESSO F ROUNDING 
r ~_-..__*-- , 
1 0.1 0.01 oxw1 
r-- h---y c_A-._ r-_.h____y __‘h___ 
Rounded Rule Rounded Rule Rounded Rule Rounded Rule 
Value Value Value Value 
7.260 4 7 I 7.3 II 7.26 I 7.260 I 
14.725 15 II 14.7 I 14.72 III(b) 14.725 - 
3.455 3 I 3.5 II 3.46 III(a) 3.455 - 
13.545 001 14 II 13.5 I 13.55 II 13.545 I 
a.725 9 II 8.7 I a.72 III(b) a.725 - 
19.205 19 I 19.2 I 19.20 III(b) 19.205 - 
0.549 9 1 II 0.5 I 0.55 II 0.550 II 
0.650 1 1 II 0.7 II 0.65 I 0.650 I 
0.049 50 0 I 0.0 I 0.05 II 0.050 III(a) 
3.1.1 The rules for rounding laid down in 3.1 may be extended to apply 
when the fineness of rounding is O-10, 10, 100, 1 000, etc. For example, 
2.43 when rounded to fineness 0.10 becomes 2.40. Similarly, 712 and 715 
when rounded to the fineness 10 become 710 and 720 respectively. 
3.2 Rornding Off to Fineness Other than Unity - In case the fineness 
of rounding is not unity, but, say, it is n, the given value shall be rounded 
off according to the following rule: 
Rule IV- When rounding to a fineness n, other than unity, the 
given value shall be divided by n. The quotient shall be rounded off to 
the nearest whole number in accordance with the rules laid down 
in 3.1 for unit fineness of rounding. The number so obtained, that 
k, the rounded quotient, shall then be multiplied by n to get the final 
rounded value, 
Some examples illustrating the application of Rule IV are given in 
Table II. 
Nope 4 -The rules for rounding off a value to any fineness of rounding, n, may also 
bc stated in line with those for unit fineness of rounding (see 3.1 ) as follows: 
Divide the given value by n SO that an integral quotient and a remainder are 
obtained. Round off the value in the following manner: 
a) If the remainder is less than n/2, the value shall be rounded down such that 
the rounded value is an integral multiple of n. 
6
TABLE II EXAMPLES OF ROUNDING OFF VALUES TO FINENESS 
OTHER THAN UNIT 
VALUE 
(0 
1.647 8 
2.70 
2.496 8 
1.75 
0.687 2 1 
0.875 
325 
1 025 
FIP~BNESOSF 
ROUNDING, n 
(2) 
0.2 
0.2 
0.3 
0.5 
@O7 
0.07 
50 
50 
QUOTIE~~T 
(3)-(l)/(2) 
8.239 
13.5 
3.322 7 
3.5 
9.c17 3 
12.5 
6.5 
20.5 
10 
!2 
G 
20 
3.2.1 Fineness of roundin,g other than 2 and .5 is seldom rallccl for in 
practice. For‘thcse casts, the rules for rounding may 1~ st:~tccl ill 
simpler form as follows: 
a) Rounding off to fineness 50, 5, 0.5, O-05, 0.005, etc. 
Rule, V - When rounding to 5 units, the given value shall IX 
doubled and rounded elf to twice the rcq~rirc~tl fincncss of rountling in 
accordance with 3.1.1. The value thus obtained shall 1~ l~alvctl to 
get the final rounded value. 
For example, in rounding off 975 to the nearest 50, 975 is douljlcd 
giving 1 950 which becomes 2 000 when rounded off to the nearest 100; when 
2 000 is divided by 2, the resulting number 1 000 is the rounded value of 
975. 
b) Rounding off to fineness 20, 2, 0.2, 0.02, 0.002, etc. 
Rule VI- When rounding to 2 units, the given value shall be 
halved and rounded off to half the required fineness of rounding in 
accordance with 3.1. The value thus obtained shall then be doubled 
to get the final rounded value. 
For example, in rounding off 2.70 to the nearest 0.2, 2.70 is halved 
giving 1.35 which becomes 1.4 when rounded off to the nearest O-1; when 
1.4 is doubled, the resulting number 2.8 is the rounded value. 
7
IS: 2 - 1960 
3.3 Successive Rounding - The fin:11 rounded value shall be obtained 
&on! the mcst prccisc v:~luc available in one step only. and not from a series 
of succcssivc rouiitlings. For cxamplc, the vallre O-5.1-9 9, when rounded to 
one sign&cant ligurcx, shall hc written as 0.5 and not as 0.6 which is obtained 
aq a r.c.sult of auc,ccssive rolmdillgs to 0*5X’), 0.55, and O-6. It is obvious that 
tit? most i)t.c.cisc value available is nearer to 0.5 and not to 0.6 and that 
ti c error involved is l~,ss in the formc>l, cast‘. Similarly, 0.650 1 shall be 
rr:u(ltlcd 011‘ to 0.7 in one step and not succcssivcly to 0.650, 0.65 and 0.6, 
S~IICCt‘ he ~nost precise valur available here is nearer to 0.7 than to 0% 
( .il i illSO ?‘d)lC 1 ). 
LOTE 5 - In those casts where a linal rounded value terminates with 5 and it is 
intended to use it in further computation, it may be hrlpM to use a ‘+’ or ‘-’ sign after 
the final 5 to indicate whether a subsequent rounding should be up or down. Thus 
3.214 7 may be written as 3-215- when rounded to a fineness of rounding 0.001. If 
fur&r rourtding to three significant figures is dnlred, this number would be rounded 
down and britten as 3.21 which is in error by less than half a unit in the last place; 
otherwise, roundingof 3.215 would have yielded 922 which is in error by more than half 
a unit in the last place. Similarly, 3.205 4 could be written as 3205+ when rounded 
to 4 significant figures. Further rounding to 3 significant figures would yield the 
value as 3-2 1. 
In case the fina 5 is obtained exactly, it would be indicated by leaving the 5 as such 
without using ‘+’ or ‘-’ sign. 
In subsequent rounding the 5 would then be treated in 
accordance with Mule III. 
4. NUMBER OF FIGURES TO BE RETAINED 
4.0 Pertinent to the application of the rules for rounding off is the under-lying 
decision as to the number of figures that should be retained in a given 
problem. The original values requirin g to be rounded off may arise as a 
result of a test, an analysis or a measurement, in other w.ords, experimental 
results, dr they may arise from computations involving several steps. 
4.1 Experimental Results - Thq number of figures to be retained in an 
experimental result, either for the purpose of reporting or for guiding the 
formulation of specifications will depend on the significance of the figures 
in the value. This aspect has been discussed in detail under 4 of IS : 787- 
1956 to which reference may be made for obtaining helpful guidance. 
4.2 Conlputatiions - In computations involving values of different 
accuracies, the problem as to how many figures should be retained at various 
s’teps assumes a special significance as it would affect the accuracy of the 
final result. The rounding off error will, in fact, be injected into computation 
every time an arithmetical operation is performed. It is, therefore, necessary 
to carry out the computation in such a manner as would obtain accurate 
results consistent with the accuracy of the data in hand. 
4.2.1 While it is not possible to prescribe details which may be followed 
in computations of various types, certain basic rules may be recommended 
8
IS:2~1960 
for single arithmetical operations which, when followed, will save labour 
and at the same time enable accuracy of original data to be normally 
maintained in the final answers. 
4.2.2 As a guide to thyiumber of places or figures to be retained in the 
calculations involving arithmetical operations with rounded or approximate 
values, the following procedures are recommended: 
a) 
b) 
c> 
4 
Addition - The more accurate values shall be rounded off SO as to 
retain one more place than the last significant figure in the least 
accurate value. The resulting sum shall then be rounded off to 
the last significant place in the least accurate value. 
Subtraction - The more accurate value ( of the two given values ) 
shall be rounded off, before subtraction, to the same @ace as the 
last significant figure in &s-accurate value; and the result shall be 
reported as such ( see also Note 6 ). 
Multifilication and Dirrisioil- The number of sigmjicant figures 
retained in the more accurate values shall be kept one more than 
that in the least accurate value. The result shall then be rounded 
off to the same number of significant figures as in the least accurate 
value. 
When a long computation is carried out jn several steps, the inter-mediate 
results shall be properly rounded at the end of e&h step 
so as to avoid the accumulation of rounding errors in such cases. 
It is recommended that, at the end of each step, one more signi-ficant 
figure may be retained than is required under (a), (b) and 
(c) ( see nlso Note 7 ). 
Noln 6 -The loss of the significant figures in the subtraction of two nearly equal 
values is the, greatest so‘trcc of inaccuracy in most computations, and it forms the 
weakest link ~1 a chain computation where it occurs. Thus, if the values 0.169 52 and 
0.168 71 arc cnch cor~ct to five significant figures, their difference 0.000 81, which has 
only two signifcant figures. is quite likely to introduce inaccuracy in subsequent 
computation. 
If, however, the tlifferencr of two ~alucs is desired to be correct to k significant figures 
and if it is known brforehand that the first m significant figures at the left will disappear 
by subtraction, then the number of significant figures to he retained in each of the 
values shall br m $ k- (SEC &ample 1). 
SOW 7 -To ensure a greater degree of accuracy in the computations, it is also 
desirable to avoid or defef . s long as possible certain approximation operations like 
that of the division or square root. For example, in the determination of sucrose by 
voiu x lctrlc. method, the expression 12~%‘s ($A) may be better evaluated by taking 
its calculational form as 20~1 !fs cl -fi VI )/wa 271 ~32 which would defer the division 
until the.last operation of the calculation. 
9
fS:2-1960 
4.2.3 Examples 
Example 1 / 
Required to find the sum of the rounded off values 461.32, 381.6, 
76.854 and 4.746~2. 
Since the least accurate value 381.6 is known only to the first decimal 
place, all other values shall he rounded off to one more place, 
that is, to two decimal places and then added as shown below: 
461.32 
381.6 
76.8.5 
4.75 
924.52 
The resulting sum shall then be reported to the same decimal place 
as in the least accurate value, that is, as 924.5. 
Examjle 2 
Required to ftnd the sum of the values 28 490, 894, 657.32, 39 500 
and 76 939, assuming that the value 39 500 is known to the 
nearest hundred only. 
Since one of the values is known only to the nearest hundred, the 
other values shall be rounded off to the nearest ten and then 
added as shown below: 
2 849 x 10 
89 x 10 
66 x 10 
3 950 x.10 
7694 x 10 
14648 x 10 
The sum shall then +e reported to the neakest hundred as 
1 465 x 100 or even as 1,465 x 106. 
Example 3 
Required to find the ditTeren;e’hf 679.8 and 76.365, assuming that 
each number is known to its last figure but no farther. 
10
IS : 2 - 1960 
since OJlC oi’ the valrws is known to the first decimal phKe only, the 
other value shall also be rounded off to the first decimal place 
and then the difference shah be found. 
679.8 
76.4 
--- 
603.4 
‘I’he diff‘crence, 603*4, shall be reported as such. 
Example 4 
Required to evaluate dm - t/2- cprrect to live significant 
figures. 
Since l/552 = 1-587 450 79 
l/F s = l-577 973 38 
and three significant figures at the left will disappear on sub-traction, 
the number of si 
nificant figures retained in each value 
B 
shall be 8 as shown below. 
I.587 450 0 
1.577 973 4 
----.- 
0*009 477 4 
‘I’he result, WOO9 477 4, shall be reported as such‘ ( or as 
9.4774 >( 10-3). 
Example 5 
Required to evaluate 35*2/1/z given that the numerator is correct 
to its last figure. 
Since the numerator here is corre$to three significant figures, the 
denominator shall be taken as t/r-t 1,414. Then, 
35.2 
mJ I 24.89 
and the resuit shall be reported as 24.9. 
Example 6 
Required to evaluate 3*78x/5*6, assuming that the denominator is 
true to only two significant figures. 
Since the denominator here is aorrrect to two significant figures, each 
number in the numerator would be taken up. to three significant 
11
IS:2-1960 
figures. Thus, 
3.78 x 3.14 = 2,08 
5.7 
. 
The result shall, however, be reported as 2-l. 
APPENDIX A 
( Clause 3.0 ) 
VALIDITY OF RULES 
A-l. Thl validity of the rules for rounding off numerical values, as given 
in 3.1, may be seen from the fact that to every number that is to be ‘ rounded 
down ’ in accordance with Rule I, there corresponds a number that is to 
be.’ rounded up ’ in accordance with Rule II. Thus, these two rules estab-lish 
a balance between rounding ’ down ’ and ‘ up ’ for all numbers other 
than those that fpll exactly midway between two alternatives. In the latter 
case, since the fi 
ag 
urg’ to be dropped is exactly 5, Rule III, which specifies that 
the value shoul) be rounded to its nearest even number, implies that rounding 
shall be ‘ up ’ when the preceding figures are 1,3, 5, 7, 9 and ‘ down ’ when 
they are 0, 2, 4, 6, 8. Rule III hence advocates a similar balance between 
rounding ‘ up ’ and ‘ down ’ ( see also Note 8 ). This ipplies that if the above 
rules are followed in a large group of values in which random distribution of 
figures occurs, the number ‘ rounded up ’ and the nuniber ‘ rounded down ’ 
will be nearly equal. Therefore, the sum and the average of the rounded 
values will be more nearly correct than would be the case if all were rounded 
in the same direction, that is, either all ‘ up ’ or all ‘ down ‘. 
NOTE 8 - From purely logical considerations, a given value could have as well been 
rounded to an odd number ( and not an even number as in Rule III ) when the discard-ed 
figures fall exactly midway between two alternatives. But there is a practical 
aspect to the matter. The rounding off a value to an even number facilitates the 
division of the rounded value by 2 and the result!of such division gives rhe correct 
rounding of half the original unrounded value. Besides, the ( rounded ) even values may 
generally be exactly divisible by many more numbers, even as well as odd, than are the 
( rounded ) odd values. 
12
BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS 
Hea,dqoarters : 
Manak Bhavan, 9 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, NEW DELHI 110002 
Telephones : 331 01 31 Telegrams : Manaksansths 
331 13 75 (Common to all Offices) 
Regional Offices : 
Central : Manak Bhavan, 9, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg 
NEW DELHI 110002 
l Eastern - l/14 C.I.T. Scheme VII M. 
* V.I.P. Road, Maniktola. CALCUTTA 700054 
Northern : SC0 445-446, Sector 35-C, CHANDIGARH 160036 
Southern : 
t Western 
C.I.T. Campus, IV Cross Road, MADRAS 600113 
: Manakalaya, E9 MIDC. Marol. Andheri (East). 
BOMBAY 400093 
Branch Offices : 
‘Pushpak’, Nurmohamed Shaikh Marg, Khanpur, AHMADABAD 380001 
Peenya Industrial Area, 1 st Stage, Bangalore-Tumkur Road. 
BANGALORE 560058 
Gangotri Complex, 5th Flodr, Bhadbhada Road, T.T. Nagar, 
BHOPAL 462003 
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HYQERABAD 500001 
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Plot No. A-9, House No. 561/63, Sindhu Nagar, Kanpur Roao. 
LUCKNOW 226005 
Patliputra Industrial Estate, PATNA 800013 
District Industries Centre Complex, Bagh-e-Ali Maidan. 
SRI NAGAR 190011 
T. C. No. 14/1421, University P. O., Palayam, 
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 695034 
Inspection Offices (With Sale Point) : 
Pushpanjali. First Floor, 205-A West High Court Road. 
Shankar Naoar Souare. NAGPUR 440010 
institution of &g&ers .(lndia) Building, 1332 Shivaji Naga; 
PUNE 411005 
- 
‘Sales Office Calcutta is at 5 Chowringhee Approach, 
P. 0. Princep Street, CALCUTTA 
t Sales Office is at Novelty Chambers, Grant Road, BOMBAY 
iAFriLFi~ is at Unitv Building, Narasimharaja Square, 
Telephone 
! 
331 01 31 
333: ;63 :25 
21843 
41 29 16 
6 32 92 95 
2 63 48 
39 49 55 
55 40 21 
5 36 27 
2 67 05 
- 
8-71 19 96 
33177 
231083 
6 34 71 
21 68 76 
5 55 07 
6 23 05 
6 21 04 
52 51 71 
5 24 35 
27 68 00 
89 65 28 
22 39 71 
Beprography Unit, BIS, New Delhi, India
AMENDMENT NO. 1 FEBRUARY 1997 
TO 
IS 2 : 1960 RULES FOR ROUNDING OFF 
NUMERICAL VALUES 
( Revived) 
(Puge 3, clause 0.4 ) - Insert the following after first entry: 
IS 1890 ( PARTO) : 1995/ISQ 31-O : 1992 QUANTITIES AND UNITS : PART 0 
GENERAL PRINCIPLE ( FIRST REVISZON ) 
(Page 8, clause 3.3 ) - Insert the following new clause after 3.3: 
“3.4 The rules given in 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 should be used only if no specific 
criteria for the selection of the rounded number have to be taken into account. In 
cases, where specitir limit (‘Maximum’ or ‘Minimum’) has been stipulated or 
where specifically mentioned in the requirement, it may be advisable always to 
round in one direction. 
Examples: 
The requirement of leakage current for domestic electrical appliances 
is 210 (LA (rms) maximum. 
The rounding may be done in one direction. For example, if a test result 
is obtained as 210.1, it will be rounded up and reported as 211 pA. 
The requirement for cyanide (as CN) for drinking water is specified as 
0.05 mg’l, maximum beyond which drinking water shall be considered 
toxic. 
The rounding may be done in one direction. For example, if a test result 
is obtained as 0.051 mg/l, it will be rounded up and reported as 
0.06 mg/I. 
The requirement for minimum thickness of the body of LPG cylinder is 
2.4 mm. 
The rounding may be done in one direction. For example, if a test result 
is obtained as 2.39 mm, it will be rounded down and reported as 2.3 
mm.
Amend No. 1 to I§ 2 : 1960 
4) The requirement for Impact-Absorption for Protective Helmets for 
Motorcycle Riders is: 
‘The conditioned helmet tested shall meet the requirements, when 
the resultant acceleration (RMS value of acceleration measured 
along three directions) measured at the centre of grfvity of the 
headform shall be 5 150 gn (where gn = 9.81 m/set ) for any 5 
milliseconds continuously and at no time exceeds 300 g,.’ 
The rounding may be done in one direction. If a test result is obtained as 
150.1 gn, it will be rounded up and reported as 151 gn.” 
(MSDl) 
Reprography Unit, BIS, N& Delhi, India
IS 2 : 1960 RULES FOR ROUNl)lNG~OFF 
NUMERtCAL VALUES 
:( MSD I j
AMENDMENT N-O. 3 AUGUST 2008 
TO 
IS 2 : 1960 RULES FOR ROUNDING OFF 
NUMERICAL VALUES 
(Revised) 
( Page 5, clause 3.1, para 1 ) - Substitute the first sekence for the 
following: 
‘In case the fineness of rounding is unity in the last place retained, the following 
rules (except in 3.4) shall be followed:’ 
( Amenhaent No. 1, February 1997, clause 3.4 ) - Substitute the second ‘_ 
sentence for the following: 
‘In all cases, where safety requirements or&scribed limits have to be respected, 
rounding off should be done in one direction only.’ 
( AmendmemNo. 1, Febrrrory 1997, clause 3.4 ) - Delete ail the examples 
given under this clause. 
(Amendment No. 2, October 1997 ) - Delete this amendment. 
(MSD3) 
Reprography Unit, BiS, New Delhi, India

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2 roundingnumericals

  • 1. Indian Standard RULES FOR ROUNDING NUMERICAL VALUES ( Revised) IS : 2 - X960 ( Rcaflimcd 1590) OFF Thirteenth Reprint MAY 1992 UDC 511.135.6 @ CopVright 1960 BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH WA& MARG NEW DELHI llOCMI2 Gr3 September 1960
  • 2. IS:2- 1960 Indian Standard RULES FOR ROUNDING OFF NUMERICAL TSALUES ( Revised ) Engineering Standards Sectional Committkej EDC 1 Chairman DR K. S. KRISHNAN Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, New Delhi Members SHRI PREMP RAKASHI Alkrnate to Dr K. S. Krishnan‘ ASSISTANT DIRECTOR SHRI BALESHWARN ATH DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL OF OBSERVATORIES DIRECTOR SHRI S. B. JOSHI SHRI R. N. KAPUR DR R. S. KRISIINAN SHRI S. R. ME%IRA Research, Design & Standardization Organization ( Ministry of Railways ) Central Board of Irrigation & Power, New Delhi Directorate General of Observatories ( Ministry of Transport & Communications ), New Delhi Engineering Research Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh Institution of Engineers ( India); Calcutta Indian Engineering Association, Calcutta Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, New Delhi SHRI S. N. MUI~ERJI Government Test House, Cnlcutta SWRI K. D. BHATTACHARJE(E A lternate ) DR B. R. NIJHA~AN Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, New Delhi SHRI V. R. RAGHAVAN Central Water & Power Commission, New Delhi BRIG J. R. SAMSON Controller of Development (Armaments ) ( Ministry of Defence ) LT-COL R. JANARDHANAM( A lterm& ) ( Continued on page 2 ) BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS MANAK BHAVAN. 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAPAR MARG NEW DELHI 110002
  • 3. rs:2-1960 Mmbcrs S&iRI R. N. SARUA Directorate Gcnrral of Supplies & Disposals ( Ministry of Works, Housing & Supply ) SHRI J. M. SIRHA Engineering Association of India, Calcutta SHRI J. M. T~EEI,~N Ministry of Transport & Communications ( Roads SHRI T. N. BHARGAVA( .lftenzate ) Wi;lg ) LT-GEN H.~%LLIA~WS Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, New Delhi DR LAL C. VERMAN ( Ex-oQcio ) Director, IS1 SFIRI J. P. MEliROTR.4 Deputy Director ( Engg ), IS1 ( AltematG ) Secrete&s DR A. K. GUPTA Assistant Director ( Stat ), IS1 SHRI B. N. SINGH Extra Assistant Director ( Stat ), IS1
  • 4. Indian Standard RULES FOR ROUNDING NUMERICAL VALUES ISr2-1960 OFF ( Revised) 0. FOREWORD 0.1 This Indian Standard ( Revised ) was adopted by the Indian Standards Institution on 27 July 1960, after the draft finalized by the Engineering Standards Sectional Committee had been approved by the Engineering Division Council. 0.2 To round off a value is to retain a certain number of figures, cowted ,from the left, and drop the others so as to give a more rational form to the value. As the Ault of a test or of a calculation is generally rounded off for the purpose of reporting or for drafting specifications, it is necessary to prescribe rules for ‘ rounding off ’ numerical values as also for deciding on ‘ the number of figures ’ to be retained. 0.3 This standard was origiually issued in 1949 with a view to promoting the adoption of a uniform procedure in rounding 08 numerical values. However, the rules given referred only to unit fineness of rounding ( see 2.3 ) and in course of years the need was felt to prescribe rules for rounding off numerical values to fineness of rounding ‘other than unity. Moreover, it was also felt that the discussion ‘on the number of figures to be retained as given in the earlier version required further elucidation. The present revision is expected to fulfil’these needs. 0.4 In preparing this standard? refcrcnce has been made?0 the following: IS : 787-1956 GUIDE FOR INTER-CONVERSIOON F VALUES FROMO NE SYSTEMO F UNITST O ANOTHER. Indian Standards Institution. B.S. 1957 : 1953 PRESENTATIOONF NUMERICAVLA LUES( PIN=NESSO F EXPRESSIONR;O UNDINQO F NUMBERS). British Standards Insti-tution. AME&CAN -STANDARD I, 25.1-1940 RULES FOR ROUNDING OFF NUUERICALV ALUES. American Standards Association. ASTM DESIGNATIO: NE 29-50 RECOMMENDEPDR ACTICEF OR DESK+ NATMG SIONIFICANTP LACESI N SPECIFIEDV ALUES. American Society for Testing and Materials. JAU~ W. SCARBOROUGHN. umerical Mathematical Analysis., Baiti-more. The John Hopkins Press, 1955. 3
  • 5. 3s : 2 - 1960 1. SCOPE 1.1 This standard prescribes rules for rounding off numerical values for the purpose of-reporting results of a test, an analysis, a measurement or a cal-culation, and thus assisting in drafting specifications. It also makes recom-mendations as to the number of figures that should be retained in course of computation. 2. TERMINOLOGY 2.0 For the purpose of this standard: the i”.4lowing definitions shall apply. 2.1 Number of Decimal Places -. A value is said to have as many decimal placesas there are number of figures in the value, counting from the first figure after the decimal point and ending with the last figure on the right. Examples: Value Decimal Places 0,029 50 5 21.029 5 4 2 ooo$Oo 001 29 1.00 2” 10.32 x lo8 2 ( see Note 1 ) NOTE I- For the purpose of tliis standard, the expression 10.32 x 10s should be taken to consist of two parts, the value proper which is 10~32 and the unit of expression for the value, 10% 2.2 Number of Significant Figures - A value is said to have as many number of significant digits ( see Note 2 ) left-most non-zero digit and ending with the significant figures ai there are in the value, counting from the right-most digit in the value. Examples : Value o-029 500 0.029 5 10.029 5 2 ooo*ooo 001 5 677.0 567 700 SigniJcani Figures 5 : 10 5 6 56.77 x lo2 4 0 056.770 3 900 I ( see Note 3 ) NOTE 2 - Any of the digits, 1, 2. 3 ,..,.. . . . . . . . 9 occurdng in a value shall be a signi-ficant digit(s); and zero shall be a significant digit cnly when it is preceded by some
  • 6. other digit (excepting the magnitude of the digit. IS : 2 - 1960 zcras ) on its left. When appearing in the pow“’ of 10 to indicatr unit in the expression of a value, zero shall not b, a signiIicant NOTE 3 - With a view to removing anv ambiguity regarding the signilrcancr, of the zeros at the end in a value like 3 900, it would be always desitablr to writ,, thy value in the power-of-ten notation. For cuamplr, 3 900 may br written as 3.9 % ICI*, 3.90 x 103 or 3.900 X 103 depending upon the last figure(s) in the value to which it is drsirrd to impart significance. 2.3 Fineness of Rounding-The unit to which a value is rounded off. For example, a value may be rounded to the nearest O*OOO( )I, O*OOO2 , O*OOO 5, 0.001, 0.002 5, 0.005, O-01, 0.07, 1, 2.5, 10, 20, 50, 100 or any other unit depending on the fineness desired. 3. RULES FOR ROUNDING 3.0 The rule usually followed in rounding off a value to unit fincness of rounding is to keep unchanged the last figure retained when the figure next beyond is less than 5 and to increase by 1 the last figure retained when t!rc figure next beyond is more than 5. There is diversity of practice when the figure next beyond the last figure retained is 5. In such cases, some com-puters ’ round up ‘, that is, increase by 1, the last figure retained; others ’ round down ‘, that is, discard everything beyond the last figure retains-d. Obviously, if the retained value is always ‘ rounded up ’ or always ‘ mund-ed down ‘, the sum and the average of a series of values so rounded will be larger or smaller than the corresponding sum or average of the unround-ed values. However, if rounding off is carried out in accordance with the rules stated in 3.1 in one step (gee 3.3 ), the sum and the average of the rounded values would be more nearly correct than in the previous cases ( see Appendix A .) . 3.1 Rounding Off to Unit Fineness - In case the fineness of rounding is unity in the last place retained, the following rules shall be followed: Rule I- When the figure next beyond the last figure or place to be retained is less than 5, the figure in the last place retained shall be left unchanged. Rule II--When the figure next beyond the last figure or place to be retained is more than 5 or is 5 followed by any figures other than zeros, the figure in the last place retained shall hc increased by 1. Rule III --. When the figure next beyond the last figure or place to be retained is 5 alone or 5 followed by zeros only, the figure in the last place retained shall be (a) increased by 1 if it is odd and (b) left unchanged if even ( zero would be regarded as an even number for this purpose ). 5
  • 7. IS:Z-1960 Some examples illustrating the application of Rules I to III are given in Table I. TABLE I EXAMPLES OF ROUNDING OFF V.UJJES TO UNIT FINENESS VALUE FINENESSO F ROUNDING r ~_-..__*-- , 1 0.1 0.01 oxw1 r-- h---y c_A-._ r-_.h____y __‘h___ Rounded Rule Rounded Rule Rounded Rule Rounded Rule Value Value Value Value 7.260 4 7 I 7.3 II 7.26 I 7.260 I 14.725 15 II 14.7 I 14.72 III(b) 14.725 - 3.455 3 I 3.5 II 3.46 III(a) 3.455 - 13.545 001 14 II 13.5 I 13.55 II 13.545 I a.725 9 II 8.7 I a.72 III(b) a.725 - 19.205 19 I 19.2 I 19.20 III(b) 19.205 - 0.549 9 1 II 0.5 I 0.55 II 0.550 II 0.650 1 1 II 0.7 II 0.65 I 0.650 I 0.049 50 0 I 0.0 I 0.05 II 0.050 III(a) 3.1.1 The rules for rounding laid down in 3.1 may be extended to apply when the fineness of rounding is O-10, 10, 100, 1 000, etc. For example, 2.43 when rounded to fineness 0.10 becomes 2.40. Similarly, 712 and 715 when rounded to the fineness 10 become 710 and 720 respectively. 3.2 Rornding Off to Fineness Other than Unity - In case the fineness of rounding is not unity, but, say, it is n, the given value shall be rounded off according to the following rule: Rule IV- When rounding to a fineness n, other than unity, the given value shall be divided by n. The quotient shall be rounded off to the nearest whole number in accordance with the rules laid down in 3.1 for unit fineness of rounding. The number so obtained, that k, the rounded quotient, shall then be multiplied by n to get the final rounded value, Some examples illustrating the application of Rule IV are given in Table II. Nope 4 -The rules for rounding off a value to any fineness of rounding, n, may also bc stated in line with those for unit fineness of rounding (see 3.1 ) as follows: Divide the given value by n SO that an integral quotient and a remainder are obtained. Round off the value in the following manner: a) If the remainder is less than n/2, the value shall be rounded down such that the rounded value is an integral multiple of n. 6
  • 8. TABLE II EXAMPLES OF ROUNDING OFF VALUES TO FINENESS OTHER THAN UNIT VALUE (0 1.647 8 2.70 2.496 8 1.75 0.687 2 1 0.875 325 1 025 FIP~BNESOSF ROUNDING, n (2) 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.5 @O7 0.07 50 50 QUOTIE~~T (3)-(l)/(2) 8.239 13.5 3.322 7 3.5 9.c17 3 12.5 6.5 20.5 10 !2 G 20 3.2.1 Fineness of roundin,g other than 2 and .5 is seldom rallccl for in practice. For‘thcse casts, the rules for rounding may 1~ st:~tccl ill simpler form as follows: a) Rounding off to fineness 50, 5, 0.5, O-05, 0.005, etc. Rule, V - When rounding to 5 units, the given value shall IX doubled and rounded elf to twice the rcq~rirc~tl fincncss of rountling in accordance with 3.1.1. The value thus obtained shall 1~ l~alvctl to get the final rounded value. For example, in rounding off 975 to the nearest 50, 975 is douljlcd giving 1 950 which becomes 2 000 when rounded off to the nearest 100; when 2 000 is divided by 2, the resulting number 1 000 is the rounded value of 975. b) Rounding off to fineness 20, 2, 0.2, 0.02, 0.002, etc. Rule VI- When rounding to 2 units, the given value shall be halved and rounded off to half the required fineness of rounding in accordance with 3.1. The value thus obtained shall then be doubled to get the final rounded value. For example, in rounding off 2.70 to the nearest 0.2, 2.70 is halved giving 1.35 which becomes 1.4 when rounded off to the nearest O-1; when 1.4 is doubled, the resulting number 2.8 is the rounded value. 7
  • 9. IS: 2 - 1960 3.3 Successive Rounding - The fin:11 rounded value shall be obtained &on! the mcst prccisc v:~luc available in one step only. and not from a series of succcssivc rouiitlings. For cxamplc, the vallre O-5.1-9 9, when rounded to one sign&cant ligurcx, shall hc written as 0.5 and not as 0.6 which is obtained aq a r.c.sult of auc,ccssive rolmdillgs to 0*5X’), 0.55, and O-6. It is obvious that tit? most i)t.c.cisc value available is nearer to 0.5 and not to 0.6 and that ti c error involved is l~,ss in the formc>l, cast‘. Similarly, 0.650 1 shall be rr:u(ltlcd 011‘ to 0.7 in one step and not succcssivcly to 0.650, 0.65 and 0.6, S~IICCt‘ he ~nost precise valur available here is nearer to 0.7 than to 0% ( .il i illSO ?‘d)lC 1 ). LOTE 5 - In those casts where a linal rounded value terminates with 5 and it is intended to use it in further computation, it may be hrlpM to use a ‘+’ or ‘-’ sign after the final 5 to indicate whether a subsequent rounding should be up or down. Thus 3.214 7 may be written as 3-215- when rounded to a fineness of rounding 0.001. If fur&r rourtding to three significant figures is dnlred, this number would be rounded down and britten as 3.21 which is in error by less than half a unit in the last place; otherwise, roundingof 3.215 would have yielded 922 which is in error by more than half a unit in the last place. Similarly, 3.205 4 could be written as 3205+ when rounded to 4 significant figures. Further rounding to 3 significant figures would yield the value as 3-2 1. In case the fina 5 is obtained exactly, it would be indicated by leaving the 5 as such without using ‘+’ or ‘-’ sign. In subsequent rounding the 5 would then be treated in accordance with Mule III. 4. NUMBER OF FIGURES TO BE RETAINED 4.0 Pertinent to the application of the rules for rounding off is the under-lying decision as to the number of figures that should be retained in a given problem. The original values requirin g to be rounded off may arise as a result of a test, an analysis or a measurement, in other w.ords, experimental results, dr they may arise from computations involving several steps. 4.1 Experimental Results - Thq number of figures to be retained in an experimental result, either for the purpose of reporting or for guiding the formulation of specifications will depend on the significance of the figures in the value. This aspect has been discussed in detail under 4 of IS : 787- 1956 to which reference may be made for obtaining helpful guidance. 4.2 Conlputatiions - In computations involving values of different accuracies, the problem as to how many figures should be retained at various s’teps assumes a special significance as it would affect the accuracy of the final result. The rounding off error will, in fact, be injected into computation every time an arithmetical operation is performed. It is, therefore, necessary to carry out the computation in such a manner as would obtain accurate results consistent with the accuracy of the data in hand. 4.2.1 While it is not possible to prescribe details which may be followed in computations of various types, certain basic rules may be recommended 8
  • 10. IS:2~1960 for single arithmetical operations which, when followed, will save labour and at the same time enable accuracy of original data to be normally maintained in the final answers. 4.2.2 As a guide to thyiumber of places or figures to be retained in the calculations involving arithmetical operations with rounded or approximate values, the following procedures are recommended: a) b) c> 4 Addition - The more accurate values shall be rounded off SO as to retain one more place than the last significant figure in the least accurate value. The resulting sum shall then be rounded off to the last significant place in the least accurate value. Subtraction - The more accurate value ( of the two given values ) shall be rounded off, before subtraction, to the same @ace as the last significant figure in &s-accurate value; and the result shall be reported as such ( see also Note 6 ). Multifilication and Dirrisioil- The number of sigmjicant figures retained in the more accurate values shall be kept one more than that in the least accurate value. The result shall then be rounded off to the same number of significant figures as in the least accurate value. When a long computation is carried out jn several steps, the inter-mediate results shall be properly rounded at the end of e&h step so as to avoid the accumulation of rounding errors in such cases. It is recommended that, at the end of each step, one more signi-ficant figure may be retained than is required under (a), (b) and (c) ( see nlso Note 7 ). Noln 6 -The loss of the significant figures in the subtraction of two nearly equal values is the, greatest so‘trcc of inaccuracy in most computations, and it forms the weakest link ~1 a chain computation where it occurs. Thus, if the values 0.169 52 and 0.168 71 arc cnch cor~ct to five significant figures, their difference 0.000 81, which has only two signifcant figures. is quite likely to introduce inaccuracy in subsequent computation. If, however, the tlifferencr of two ~alucs is desired to be correct to k significant figures and if it is known brforehand that the first m significant figures at the left will disappear by subtraction, then the number of significant figures to he retained in each of the values shall br m $ k- (SEC &ample 1). SOW 7 -To ensure a greater degree of accuracy in the computations, it is also desirable to avoid or defef . s long as possible certain approximation operations like that of the division or square root. For example, in the determination of sucrose by voiu x lctrlc. method, the expression 12~%‘s ($A) may be better evaluated by taking its calculational form as 20~1 !fs cl -fi VI )/wa 271 ~32 which would defer the division until the.last operation of the calculation. 9
  • 11. fS:2-1960 4.2.3 Examples Example 1 / Required to find the sum of the rounded off values 461.32, 381.6, 76.854 and 4.746~2. Since the least accurate value 381.6 is known only to the first decimal place, all other values shall he rounded off to one more place, that is, to two decimal places and then added as shown below: 461.32 381.6 76.8.5 4.75 924.52 The resulting sum shall then be reported to the same decimal place as in the least accurate value, that is, as 924.5. Examjle 2 Required to ftnd the sum of the values 28 490, 894, 657.32, 39 500 and 76 939, assuming that the value 39 500 is known to the nearest hundred only. Since one of the values is known only to the nearest hundred, the other values shall be rounded off to the nearest ten and then added as shown below: 2 849 x 10 89 x 10 66 x 10 3 950 x.10 7694 x 10 14648 x 10 The sum shall then +e reported to the neakest hundred as 1 465 x 100 or even as 1,465 x 106. Example 3 Required to find the ditTeren;e’hf 679.8 and 76.365, assuming that each number is known to its last figure but no farther. 10
  • 12. IS : 2 - 1960 since OJlC oi’ the valrws is known to the first decimal phKe only, the other value shall also be rounded off to the first decimal place and then the difference shah be found. 679.8 76.4 --- 603.4 ‘I’he diff‘crence, 603*4, shall be reported as such. Example 4 Required to evaluate dm - t/2- cprrect to live significant figures. Since l/552 = 1-587 450 79 l/F s = l-577 973 38 and three significant figures at the left will disappear on sub-traction, the number of si nificant figures retained in each value B shall be 8 as shown below. I.587 450 0 1.577 973 4 ----.- 0*009 477 4 ‘I’he result, WOO9 477 4, shall be reported as such‘ ( or as 9.4774 >( 10-3). Example 5 Required to evaluate 35*2/1/z given that the numerator is correct to its last figure. Since the numerator here is corre$to three significant figures, the denominator shall be taken as t/r-t 1,414. Then, 35.2 mJ I 24.89 and the resuit shall be reported as 24.9. Example 6 Required to evaluate 3*78x/5*6, assuming that the denominator is true to only two significant figures. Since the denominator here is aorrrect to two significant figures, each number in the numerator would be taken up. to three significant 11
  • 13. IS:2-1960 figures. Thus, 3.78 x 3.14 = 2,08 5.7 . The result shall, however, be reported as 2-l. APPENDIX A ( Clause 3.0 ) VALIDITY OF RULES A-l. Thl validity of the rules for rounding off numerical values, as given in 3.1, may be seen from the fact that to every number that is to be ‘ rounded down ’ in accordance with Rule I, there corresponds a number that is to be.’ rounded up ’ in accordance with Rule II. Thus, these two rules estab-lish a balance between rounding ’ down ’ and ‘ up ’ for all numbers other than those that fpll exactly midway between two alternatives. In the latter case, since the fi ag urg’ to be dropped is exactly 5, Rule III, which specifies that the value shoul) be rounded to its nearest even number, implies that rounding shall be ‘ up ’ when the preceding figures are 1,3, 5, 7, 9 and ‘ down ’ when they are 0, 2, 4, 6, 8. Rule III hence advocates a similar balance between rounding ‘ up ’ and ‘ down ’ ( see also Note 8 ). This ipplies that if the above rules are followed in a large group of values in which random distribution of figures occurs, the number ‘ rounded up ’ and the nuniber ‘ rounded down ’ will be nearly equal. Therefore, the sum and the average of the rounded values will be more nearly correct than would be the case if all were rounded in the same direction, that is, either all ‘ up ’ or all ‘ down ‘. NOTE 8 - From purely logical considerations, a given value could have as well been rounded to an odd number ( and not an even number as in Rule III ) when the discard-ed figures fall exactly midway between two alternatives. But there is a practical aspect to the matter. The rounding off a value to an even number facilitates the division of the rounded value by 2 and the result!of such division gives rhe correct rounding of half the original unrounded value. Besides, the ( rounded ) even values may generally be exactly divisible by many more numbers, even as well as odd, than are the ( rounded ) odd values. 12
  • 14. BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS Hea,dqoarters : Manak Bhavan, 9 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, NEW DELHI 110002 Telephones : 331 01 31 Telegrams : Manaksansths 331 13 75 (Common to all Offices) Regional Offices : Central : Manak Bhavan, 9, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg NEW DELHI 110002 l Eastern - l/14 C.I.T. Scheme VII M. * V.I.P. Road, Maniktola. CALCUTTA 700054 Northern : SC0 445-446, Sector 35-C, CHANDIGARH 160036 Southern : t Western C.I.T. Campus, IV Cross Road, MADRAS 600113 : Manakalaya, E9 MIDC. Marol. Andheri (East). BOMBAY 400093 Branch Offices : ‘Pushpak’, Nurmohamed Shaikh Marg, Khanpur, AHMADABAD 380001 Peenya Industrial Area, 1 st Stage, Bangalore-Tumkur Road. BANGALORE 560058 Gangotri Complex, 5th Flodr, Bhadbhada Road, T.T. Nagar, BHOPAL 462003 Plot No. 82/83, Lewis Road, BHUBANESHWAR 751002 Kalai Kathir Building, 6/48-A Avanasi Road, COIMBATORE 841037 Quality Marking Centre, N.H. IV, N.I,T., FARIDABAD 121001 Savitri Complex, 116 G, T. Road, GHAZIABAD 201001 5315 Ward No. 29, R.G. Barua Road, 5th By-lane, GUWAHATI 781003 5-8-56C L. N. Gupta Marg, ( Nampally Station Road ) HYQERABAD 500001 R14 Yudhister Marg, C Scheme, JAIPUR 302005 1171418 B Sarvodaya Nagar, KANPUR 208005 Plot No. A-9, House No. 561/63, Sindhu Nagar, Kanpur Roao. LUCKNOW 226005 Patliputra Industrial Estate, PATNA 800013 District Industries Centre Complex, Bagh-e-Ali Maidan. SRI NAGAR 190011 T. C. No. 14/1421, University P. O., Palayam, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 695034 Inspection Offices (With Sale Point) : Pushpanjali. First Floor, 205-A West High Court Road. Shankar Naoar Souare. NAGPUR 440010 institution of &g&ers .(lndia) Building, 1332 Shivaji Naga; PUNE 411005 - ‘Sales Office Calcutta is at 5 Chowringhee Approach, P. 0. Princep Street, CALCUTTA t Sales Office is at Novelty Chambers, Grant Road, BOMBAY iAFriLFi~ is at Unitv Building, Narasimharaja Square, Telephone ! 331 01 31 333: ;63 :25 21843 41 29 16 6 32 92 95 2 63 48 39 49 55 55 40 21 5 36 27 2 67 05 - 8-71 19 96 33177 231083 6 34 71 21 68 76 5 55 07 6 23 05 6 21 04 52 51 71 5 24 35 27 68 00 89 65 28 22 39 71 Beprography Unit, BIS, New Delhi, India
  • 15. AMENDMENT NO. 1 FEBRUARY 1997 TO IS 2 : 1960 RULES FOR ROUNDING OFF NUMERICAL VALUES ( Revived) (Puge 3, clause 0.4 ) - Insert the following after first entry: IS 1890 ( PARTO) : 1995/ISQ 31-O : 1992 QUANTITIES AND UNITS : PART 0 GENERAL PRINCIPLE ( FIRST REVISZON ) (Page 8, clause 3.3 ) - Insert the following new clause after 3.3: “3.4 The rules given in 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 should be used only if no specific criteria for the selection of the rounded number have to be taken into account. In cases, where specitir limit (‘Maximum’ or ‘Minimum’) has been stipulated or where specifically mentioned in the requirement, it may be advisable always to round in one direction. Examples: The requirement of leakage current for domestic electrical appliances is 210 (LA (rms) maximum. The rounding may be done in one direction. For example, if a test result is obtained as 210.1, it will be rounded up and reported as 211 pA. The requirement for cyanide (as CN) for drinking water is specified as 0.05 mg’l, maximum beyond which drinking water shall be considered toxic. The rounding may be done in one direction. For example, if a test result is obtained as 0.051 mg/l, it will be rounded up and reported as 0.06 mg/I. The requirement for minimum thickness of the body of LPG cylinder is 2.4 mm. The rounding may be done in one direction. For example, if a test result is obtained as 2.39 mm, it will be rounded down and reported as 2.3 mm.
  • 16. Amend No. 1 to I§ 2 : 1960 4) The requirement for Impact-Absorption for Protective Helmets for Motorcycle Riders is: ‘The conditioned helmet tested shall meet the requirements, when the resultant acceleration (RMS value of acceleration measured along three directions) measured at the centre of grfvity of the headform shall be 5 150 gn (where gn = 9.81 m/set ) for any 5 milliseconds continuously and at no time exceeds 300 g,.’ The rounding may be done in one direction. If a test result is obtained as 150.1 gn, it will be rounded up and reported as 151 gn.” (MSDl) Reprography Unit, BIS, N& Delhi, India
  • 17. IS 2 : 1960 RULES FOR ROUNl)lNG~OFF NUMERtCAL VALUES :( MSD I j
  • 18. AMENDMENT N-O. 3 AUGUST 2008 TO IS 2 : 1960 RULES FOR ROUNDING OFF NUMERICAL VALUES (Revised) ( Page 5, clause 3.1, para 1 ) - Substitute the first sekence for the following: ‘In case the fineness of rounding is unity in the last place retained, the following rules (except in 3.4) shall be followed:’ ( Amenhaent No. 1, February 1997, clause 3.4 ) - Substitute the second ‘_ sentence for the following: ‘In all cases, where safety requirements or&scribed limits have to be respected, rounding off should be done in one direction only.’ ( AmendmemNo. 1, Febrrrory 1997, clause 3.4 ) - Delete ail the examples given under this clause. (Amendment No. 2, October 1997 ) - Delete this amendment. (MSD3) Reprography Unit, BiS, New Delhi, India