- Determine the two consecutive multiples of 1,000 that bracket 1,296
- 1,296 is between 1,000 and 2,000
- 1,500 is the midpoint between 1,000 and 2,000
- As illustrated on the number line, 1,296 is less than the midpoint (1,500)
- Therefore, 1,296 rounded to the nearest thousand = 1,000
