The correct answer is: $278.79$
Explanation
We are rounding $278.785$ to the nearest hundredth (two decimal places). The hundredths digit is $8$ and the digit to its right (the thousandths) is $5$, so we round the hundredths up by $1$.
Steps:
- Identify digits: tenths $=7$, hundredths $=8$, thousandths $=5$.
- Rounding rule: if the digit right of the hundredth is $5$ or greater, increase the hundredth by $1$.
- Apply the rule: $278.785$ → hundredths $8$ becomes $9$ → $$278.785\approx278.79$$
Therefore, $278.785$ rounded to the nearest hundredth is $278.79$.