APPROXIMATION & ESTIMATION
1 Estimate the value of 5.78×√35, giving your answer correct to 1 significant figure. [2]
3
√29
2 By rounding off each number to 2 significant figures, estimate the value of [2]
51323 ÷ 9.96. You must show your working clearly.
3 (a) Round off 3025.378 to
(i) 2 decimal places, [1]
(ii) 2 significant figures. [1]
(b) Round off 0.03288345 to 3 significant figures. [1]
(c) Without the use of calculator, estimate the value of
3
√999
(i) × 5.01,
9.8
[1]
√65
(ii) 3 × 19.9. [1]
√9
4 The diameter of the earth at the equator is 12700 kilometres. This value has been [2]
rounded to 3 significant figures. Find the largest and the smallest possible value of
the diameter of the earth.
5 (a) By rounding the numbers to 1 significant figure, estimate the value [2]
√101.3×64.231
of . Show your working clearly.
(1.98)3
(b) Without using the calculator, determine whether the value found in (a) is an over [1]
or under estimation. Give a reason for your answer.
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Answer Key
1 Solution: 5.78×√35 ≈ 6×√36
3 3
√29 √27
= 12
Ans: 12
2 Solution: 51000 ÷ 10
= 5100
Ans: 5100
3 3
√999 √65
Solutions: (c)(i) × 5.01 (ii) 3 × 19.9
9.8 √9
3 √64
√1000 ≈ 3 × 20
≈ × 5 √8
10 8
10 = 2 × 20
= 10 × 5
= 80
=5
Ans: (ai) 3025.38(2d.p) (aii) 3000 (2s.f) (b) 0.0329 (2s.f) (ci) 5 (cii) 80
4 Ans: Largest = 12749 km, Smallest = 12650 km
5 Solution: (a) √101.3×64.231 = 10×60
(1.98)3 8
= 75
Ans: (a) 75, (b) Underestimate. The numbers in the numerator have been rounded
down and the number in the denominator has been rounded up, making the final
answer smaller than the actual value.
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