Number Approximation: Finding the Nearest Value to 48,246

To solve this rounding problem, we will proceed with the following steps:

• Step 1: Identify the hundreds digit in $48,246$.
• Step 2: Apply the rounding rule to determine the nearest thousand.

Now, let's work through these steps:

Step 1: The number given is $48,246$. The hundreds digit in this number is $2$.

Step 2: According to rounding rules, if the hundreds digit (which is $2$) is less than $5$, we round down to the nearest thousand. This means we will round $48,246$ down to $48,000$.

Therefore, after rounding $48,246$ to the nearest thousand, the approximate value is $48,000$.

The correct choice from the options provided is $48,000$.