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3.2 Rounding

Think like a mathematician

3 Work with a partner to discuss the answers to this question.
This is part of Harry’s homework.

Qn
Rd   o 2 .f.

E
a 45 150 b 0.032 84
Ar
a 45 b 0.03

c
PL
Harry has rounded one large number and one small number to
two significant figures.
Both of his answers are wrong.
a Explain the mistakes he has made.
Write the correct answers.
What must you remember to do when you round a large number
to a given number of significant figures?
What must you remember to do when you round a small number
to a given number of significant figures?
M
4 Round each number to the stated number of significant figures (s.f.).
a 135 (1 s.f.) b 45 678 (2 s.f.) c 18.654 (3 s.f.)
d 0.0931 (1 s.f.) e 0.7872 (2 s.f.) f 1.409 48 (4 s.f.)
g 985 (1 s.f.) h 0.697 (2 s.f.) i 8.595 (3 s.f.)
5 Which answer is correct: A, B, C or D?
SA

a 2569 rounded to 1 s.f. A 2 B 3 C 2000 D 3000

b 47.6821 rounded to 3 s.f. A 47.6 B 47.682 C 47.7 D 48.0
c 0.0882 rounded to 2 s.f. A 0.08 B 0.088 C 0.09 D 0.1
d 3.089 62 rounded to 4 s.f. A 3.089 B 3.0896 C 3.09 D 3.090
e 19.963 rounded to 3 s.f. A 2 B 20 C 20.0 D 19.96
6 Round the number 209.095 046 to the stated number of significant figures (s.f.).
a 1 s.f. b 2 s.f. c 3 s.f.
d 4 s.f. e 5 s.f. f 6 s.f.

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