- Year 8
Degrees of accuracy
I can appreciate what is meant by a suitable degree of accuracy.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- When calculating often 3 significant figures is the required degree of accuracy.
- When working with integers in context different degrees of accuracy may be appropriate.
- When working with decimals in context different degrees of accuracy may be appropriate.
Keywords
Degree of accuracy - A degree of accuracy shows how precise a number or measurement is. E.g. to the nearest cm, nearest 10, 1 s.f., etc
Common misconception
Rounding prematurely during multi-step calculations.
Encourage the use of fractions (where possible) or the use of the 'ANS' button.
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.A degree of accuracy shows how precise a number or is. For example, to the nearest cm, to the nearest 10 or to 1 significant figure.
Q2.Match each number to the correct statement.
100.56 - 1 is the first significant figure
0.569 - 5 is the first significant figure
0.0086023 - 8 is the first significant figure
0.00040003 - 4 is the first significant figure
3680.0036 - 3 is the first significant figure
Q3.Round 0.0434 to 2 significant figures.
Q4.Round 0.007006 to 3 significant figures.
Q5.Round 0.0896 to 2 significant figures.
Q6.Round 0.00600736 to 3 significant figures.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.A of accuracy shows how precise a number or measurement is.
Q2.The average size of a secondary school in 2024 was 1050. This number is most likely to have been rounded to which degree of accuracy?
Q3.The average temperature in the UK in 2024 was 10.93°C. This is most likely to have been rounded to which degree of accuracy?
Q4.Match each situation to the most appropriate degree of accuracy.
Buckets of water to fill a paddling pool - nearest integer
Number of pupils at a primary school - nearest ten
Number of people living in a village - nearest hundred
Height of Mount Everest in metres - nearest thousand