Choose exam board for KS4 Computer Science (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 English
Choose exam board for KS4 French
Choose exam board for KS4 Geography
Choose exam board for KS4 German
Choose exam board for KS4 History
Choose tier for KS4 Maths
Choose exam board for KS4 Music
Choose exam board for KS4 Physical education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Religious education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Spanish

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can appreciate what is meant by a suitable degree of accuracy.

      Key learning points

      1. When calculating often 3 significant figures is the required degree of accuracy.
      2. When working with integers in context different degrees of accuracy may be appropriate.
      3. 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.

      Teacher tip

      Pupils measure the walls of the classroom and calculate the cost of repainting it. Pupils needing a challenge could calculate skirting boards, doors, door frames, window frames etc. The cost of painting these items could include paint sold in different sized tins for a different cost.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

      Loading...

      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.

      Correct Answer: measurement, measure

      Q2.
      Match each number to the correct statement.

      Correct Answer:100.56,1 is the first significant figure
      Correct Answer:0.569,5 is the first significant figure
      Correct Answer:0.0086023,8 is the first significant figure
      Correct Answer:0.00040003,4 is the first significant figure
      Correct Answer:3680.0036,3 is the first significant figure

      Q3.
      Round 0.0434 to 2 significant figures.

      Correct Answer: 0.043

      Q4.
      Round 0.007006 to 3 significant figures.

      Correct Answer: 0.00701

      Q5.
      Round 0.0896 to 2 significant figures.

      Correct Answer: 0.090

      Q6.
      Round 0.00600736 to 3 significant figures.

      Correct Answer: 0.00601

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      A of accuracy shows how precise a number or measurement is.

      Correct Answer: degree

      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?

      one decimal place
      nearest integer
      Correct answer: nearest ten
      nearest hundred
      nearest thousand

      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?

      nearest ten
      nearest integer
      1 decimal place
      Correct answer: 2 decimal places
      3 decimal places

      Q4.
      Match each situation to the most appropriate degree of accuracy.

      Correct Answer:Buckets of water to fill a paddling pool,nearest integer
      Correct Answer:Number of pupils at a primary school,nearest ten
      Correct Answer:Number of people living in a village,nearest hundred
      Correct Answer:Height of Mount Everest in metres,nearest thousand

      Q5.
      Use the exchange rate £1:$1.27 to convert $6.95 into pounds. Give your answer to an appropriate degree of accuracy.

      Correct Answer: £5.47, 5.47

      Q6.
      Use your calculator to evaluate $$1.27 - \sqrt{15}\over16.8 + 0.06$$. Give your answer to an appropriate degree of accuracy.

      0.154
      0.15
      Correct answer: −0.15
      −0.154
      −0.1543

      To help you plan your 8 maths lesson on: Degrees of accuracy, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...