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Understanding place value is essential when it comes to rounding numbers. Each digit in a number has a different value depending on its position or 'place' within the number. In whole numbers, place values correspond to units, tens, hundreds, and so on, moving left from the decimal point. For example, in the number 96.8027, '9' is in the tens place, and '6' is in the units place.

When you are asked to round a number to a certain place value, you are essentially adjusting the number to make it simpler while keeping it close to its original value. For instance, rounding the number 96.8027 to the nearest whole number means focusing on the digit in the units place (6) and considering the digit immediately to the right, in the tenths place (8), to make a decision about rounding up or down. The concept of place value not only helps students understand the 'why' and 'how' to round numbers but also serves as a building block for more complex math concepts.

Decimal places are found to the right of the decimal point and indicate fractions of a whole. Starting immediately after the decimal point, the first place is the tenths place, followed by the hundredths, thousandths, and so on. Each consecutive place value represents a succeeding power of one-tenth.

In the number 96.8027, '8' is in the tenths place, '0' is in the hundredths, '2' is in the thousandths, and '7' is in the ten-thousandths place. Becoming familiar with decimal places is crucial when working with precision in measurements or when dealing with currency where values often extend two places past the decimal. Being comfortable identifying and working with decimal places improves a student's precision in math problems and their practical applications.

Rounding up or down is a decision made based on the value of the digit in the place you are rounding to and the digit immediately to its right. If you're rounding a number and the digit to the right of your rounding place is 5 or greater, you round up. Conversely, if it's 4 or less, you round down.

For the given example of rounding 96.8027 to the nearest whole number: since the digit to the right of the ones place is 8 (which is in the tenths place and is greater than 5), you round up the number to 97. This simple rule ensures uniformity in rounding and is pivotal for tasks like adjusting figures for estimates, reporting financial data, or making calculations simpler for mental math.