- Determine the two consecutive multiples of 1,000 that bracket 20,049
- 20,049 is between 20,000 and 21,000
- 20,500 is the midpoint between 20,000 and 21,000
- As illustrated on the number line, 20,049 is less than the midpoint (20,500)
- Therefore, 20,049 rounded to the nearest thousand = 20,000
