- Determine the two consecutive multiples of 1,000 that bracket 12,499
- 12,499 is between 12,000 and 13,000
- 12,500 is the midpoint between 12,000 and 13,000
- As illustrated on the number line, 12,499 is less than the midpoint (12,500)
- Therefore, 12,499 rounded to the nearest thousand = 12,000
