Rounding, Estimation Bounds: Concepts and Problems

Dr. Eslam Ahmed

Summer 2024

Contents
1 Introduction to Rounding, Estimation Bounds 2

2 Estimation Visualization 2

3 Rounding Estimation Concepts (Notes) 3

3.1 Rounding to Place Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
3.2 Rounding to Significant Figures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3.3 Estimation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

4 Upper Lower Bounds Concepts 6

4.1 Definition of Bounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

5 Additional Notes and Problems 7

5.1 Easy Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
5.2 Medium Difficulty Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
5.3 Hard Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
5.4 Very Hard Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
5.5 Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

6 Conclusion 57

1
1 Introduction to Rounding, Estimation Bounds
This document covers important concepts of rounding, estimation, and bounds in mathematics. These concepts
are essential for understanding how to approach approximation and error intervals in real-world problems.

2 Estimation Visualization

Rounding Estimation Concepts

Rounding to Place Values Rounding to Significant Figures

Step: Focus on the digit in the specified place value.Step: Identify the first non-zero digit as the first
Round based on the next digit to the right. significant figure. Round based on it.

Example: 1294 rounds to 1300 (hundreds place). Example: 3097 (1st sig. fig. 3) or 0.006207 (1st sig. fig. 6).

1294 1300 3097 3

Note: Start counting from the first non-zero digit.

Trailing zeros after a decimal point are significant.

Estimation Upper Lower Bounds

Step: Simplify numbers by rounding to Bounds define the range within which
1 significant figure for quick calculations. a rounded number lies.

Example: 87.8 → 90, 1080 → 1000. Example: 1230 to 3 sig. figs. → 1225 ≤ x 1235

87.8 90 1225 ≤x 1235

Lower bound: x - 0.5 * accuracy

1080 1000
Upper bound: x + 0.5 * accuracy

Figure 1: Mathematical summary

2
3 Rounding Estimation Concepts (Notes)
3.1 Rounding to Place Values

Rounding to Place Values

• Focus on the digit in the specified place value.

• If the next digit is 5 or more, round up; otherwise, round down.

• Ensure that trailing zeros maintain the correct number of decimal places.

• Example: 1294 rounded to the nearest hundred is 1300.

3
3.2 Rounding to Significant Figures

Rounding to Significant Figures

• Similar to rounding by place value but applied to the first non-zero digit and beyond.

• The first significant figure of 3097 is 3, while for 0.006207, it is also 3.

• Example: 3.497 rounded to two decimal places becomes 3.50.

4
3.3 Estimation
Estimation Concepts

• Useful for quick approximations or checking solutions.

• Generally, round numbers to 1 significant figure to simplify calculations.

• Example: 7.8 → 8, 1080 → 1000.

5
4 Upper Lower Bounds Concepts
4.1 Definition of Bounds
Upper and Lower Bounds

• Bounds define the range within which a rounded number lies.

• **Upper Bound**: Add half of the degree of accuracy to the number.

• **Lower Bound**: Subtract half of the degree of accuracy.

• Example: For 1230 rounded to 3 significant figures, the bounds are 1225 ≤ x < 1235.

6
5 Additional Notes and Problems
5.1 Easy Problems

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Rounding, Estimation & Bounds

Question Paper

Course Edexcel IGCSE Maths

Section 1. Numbers & the Number System
Topic Rounding, Estimation & Bounds
Difficulty Easy

Time Allowed 40
Score /31
Percentage /100

Check your answers

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Question 1
A number, n , is rounded to 2 decimal places.
The result is 4 . 76

Using inequalities, write down the error interval for n .

[2 marks]

Question 2
The length, L cm, of a line is measured as 13 cm correct to the nearest centimetre.

Complete the following statement to show the range of possible values of L

................. ≤ L < .................

[2 marks]

Question 3a
Find the value of the reciprocal of 1.6
Give your answer as a decimal.
[1 mark]

Question 3b
Jess rounds a number, x , to one decimal place.
The result is 9.8
Write down the error interval for x .
[2 marks]

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Question 4
Jim rounds a number, x , to one decimal place.
The result is 7.2
Write down the error interval for x .
[2 marks]

Question 5
Each side of a regular octagon has a length of 18 mm, correct to the nearest 0.5 mm

i) Write down the lower bound of the length of each side of the octagon.
[1]
ii) Write down the upper bound of the length of each side of the octagon.
[1]
[2 marks]

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Question 6
The mass of a cat is 4.3 kg correct to 2 significant figures.
i) Write down the upper bound of the weight of the cat.

........................... kg [1]
ii) Write down the lower bound of the weight of the cat.

........................... kg [1]
[2 marks]

Question 7
The length of a book is 33.8 cm, correct to one decimal place.
i) Write down the lower bound of the length of the book.

.............................................. cm [1]
ii) Write down the upper bound of the length of the book.

.............................................. cm [1]
[2 marks]

Question 8
When rounded to 3 significant figures, x = 6 . 37
Circle the correct error interval.
6 . 365 ⩽ x < 6 . 375 6 . 36 ⩽ x < 6 . 38
6 . 369 ⩽ x < 6 . 379 6 . 365 ⩽ x < 6 . 3749
[1 mark]

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Question 9
The height of a tree is 12 metres, correct to the nearest metre.
Circle the error interval.
11.5 m ⩽ height < 12.5 m 11.5 m ⩽ height ⩽ 12.5 m
11.5 m < height ⩽ 12.5 m 11.5 m < height < 12.5 m
[1 mark]

Question 10
To the nearest 1000, there are 18 000 people at a festival.
i) Write down the minimum possible number of people at the festival.

[1]
ii) Write down the maximum possible number of people at the festival.

[1]
[2 marks]

Question 11
The length of a table is 110 cm to the nearest cm
Complete the error interval.
.................cm ⩽ length < .................cm
[2 marks]

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Question 12a
The length of each side of a regular pentagon is 8.4 cm to 1 decimal place.
Complete the error interval for the length of one side.
....................cm ⩽ length < ....................cm
[2 marks]

Question 12b
Complete the error interval for the perimeter.
....................cm ⩽ perimeter < ....................cm
[1 mark]

Question 13
The length, d, of Jamal’s car is 4.72 m, correct to 2 decimal places.

Complete the error interval for the length, d.

....................... ⩽ d < ........................
[2 marks]

Question 14
326 . 8 × (6 . 94 − 3 . 4)
Asha worked out
59. 4
She got an answer of 19.5, correct to 3 significant figures.
Write each number correct to 1 significant figure to decide if Asha’s answer is reasonable.
[3 marks]

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Question 15
The length, L, of a steel rod is 8.3 m, correct to 1 decimal place.

Complete the error interval for length L.

............................ ⩽ L < ............................
[2 marks]

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5.2 Medium Difficulty Problems

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Rounding, Estimation & Bounds

Question Paper

Course Edexcel IGCSE Maths

Section 1. Numbers & the Number System
Topic Rounding, Estimation & Bounds
Difficulty Medium

Time Allowed 50
Score /40
Percentage /100

Check your answers

Page 1 of 8

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Question 1a
The value of p is 4.3
The value of q is 0.4

Both p and q are given correct to the nearest 0 . 1

Write down the lower bound for p .
[1 mark]

Question 1b
1
r=p+
q
Work out the upper bound for r .
You must show all your working.
[3 marks]

Question 2
I = 5(v — u )

v = 14 correct to 2 significant figures

u = 8 . 7 correct to 2 significant figures

Work out the upper bound for the value of I .

You must show your working.
[3 marks]

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Question 3
v −u
a=
t
v = 37. 6 correct to 3 significant figures.
u = 11 . 3 correct to 3 significant figures.
t = 8 . 4 correct to 2 significant figures.

Work out the upper bound for the value of a .

Show your working clearly.
[3 marks]

Question 4
x
D=
y
x = 99. 7 correct to 1 decimal place.
y = 67 correct to 2 significant figures.
Work out an upper bound for D .
[3 marks]

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Question 5
There are 892 litres of oil in Mr Aston's oil tank.
He uses 18. 7 litres of oil each day.
Estimate the number of days it will take him to use all the oil in the tank.
[2 marks]

Question 6
31 × 9 . 87
Work out an estimate for
0 . 509
[3 marks]

Question 7a
Work out an estimate for the value of 63. 5 × 101 . 7 .
[2 marks]

Question 7b
(2 . 3) 6 = 148 correct to 3 significant figures.
Find the value of (0 . 23) 6 correct to 3 significant figures.
[1 mark]

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Question 7c
1
Show that 5−2 =
25
[1 mark]

Question 8
Sally used her calculator to work out the value of a number y .
The answer on her calculator display began
8.3
Complete the error interval for y .
............................ ⩽ y < ....................
[2 marks]

Question 9
t
k=
a−h
t = 14 correct to 2 significant figures
a = 7.8 correct to 2 significant figures
h = 3.4 correct to 2 significant figures
Work out the lower bound for the value of k .
Show your working clearly.
[3 marks]

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Question 10
68. 3 × 42. 8
Nav has worked out on his calculator.
0 . 021
His answer is 139 201 . 9048
Without using a calculator and using suitable approximations, check that his answer is sensible.
Show your working clearly.
[2 marks]

Question 11a
P = ef
e = 4 . 8 correct to 2 significant figures.
f = 0 . 26 correct to 2 significant figures.
Work out the lower bound for the value of P .
Show your working clearly.
Give your answer correct to 3 significant figures.
[2 marks]

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Question 11b
t
Q=
w
t = 2 . 73 correct to 3 significant figures.
w = 0 . 04 correct to 1 significant figure .
Work out the upper bound for the value of Q .
Show your working clearly.
Give your answer correct to 2 significant figures.
[2]
[2 marks]

Question 12
To the nearest pound, Jon has £9
To the nearest 50p, Ellie has £6.50
Work out the maximum possible total amount of money.
£........................................
[3 marks]

Question 13a
The length of a pipe is 6 metres to the nearest metre.
Complete the error interval for the length of the pipe.
...........................m ⩽ length < ...........................m
[2 marks]

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Question 13b
he length of a different pipe is 4 metres to the nearest metre.
Olly says,
“The total length of the two pipes is 11 metres to the nearest metre.”
Give an example to show that he could be correct.
[2 marks]

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5.3 Hard Problems

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Rounding, Estimation & Bounds

Question Paper

Course Edexcel IGCSE Maths

Section 1. Numbers & the Number System
Topic Rounding, Estimation & Bounds
Difficulty Hard

Time Allowed 80
Score /63
Percentage /100

Check your answers

Page 1 of 12

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Question 1
Dan does an experiment to find the value of π .
He measures the circumference and the diameter of a circle.
He measures the circumference, C , as 170 mm to the nearest millimetre.
He measures the diameter, d , as 54 mm to the nearest millimetre.
C
Dan uses π = to find the value of π .
d
Calculate the upper bound and the lower bound for Dan's value of π .
[4 marks]

Question 2
Steve travelled from Ashton to Barnfield.
He travelled 235 miles, correct to the nearest 5 miles.
The journey took him 200 minutes, correct to the nearest 5 minutes.
Calculate the lower bound for the average speed of the journey.
Give your answer in miles per hour, correct to 3 significant figures.
You must show all your working.
[4 marks]

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Question 3
Jarek uses the formula
1
Area = ab sinC
2
to work out the area of a triangle.
For this triangle,
a = 7 . 8 cm correct to the nearest mm.
b = 5 . 2 cm correct to the nearest mm.
C = 63 ∘ correct to the nearest degree.
Calculate the lower bound for the area of the triangle.
[3 marks]

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Question 4

a is 8.3 cm correct to the nearest mm

b is 6.1 cm correct to the nearest mm
Calculate the upper bound for c .
You must show your working.
[4 marks]

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Question 5a
A train travelled along a track in 110 minutes, correct to the nearest 5 minutes.
Jake finds out that the track is 270 km long.
He assumes that the track has been measured correct to the nearest 10 km.
Could the average speed of the train have been greater than 160 km/h?
You must show how you get your answer.
[4 marks]

Question 5b
Jake's assumption was wrong.
The track was measured correct to the nearest 5 km.
Explain how this could affect your decision in part (a).
[1 mark]

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Question 6
The petrol consumption of a car, in litres per 100 kilometres, is given by the formula
100 × Number of litres of petrol used
Petrol consumption =
Number of kilometres travelled

Nathan's car travelled 148 kilometres, correct to 3 significant figures.

The car used 11.8 litres of petrol, correct to 3 significant figures.

Nathan says,
"My car used less than 8 litres of petrol per 100 kilometres."
Could Nathan be wrong?
You must show how you get your answer.
[3 marks]

Question 7a
A cone has a volume of 98 cm3.
The radius of the cone is 5.13 cm.

Work out an estimate for the height of the cone.

[3 marks]

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Question 7b
John uses a calculator to work out the height of the cone to 2 decimal places.
Will your estimate be more than John's answer or less than John's answer?
Give reasons for your answer.
[1 mark]

Question 8
Work out an estimate for 4 . 98 + 2 . 16 × 7 . 35
[3 marks]

Question 9
Margaret has some goats.
The goats produce an average total of 21.7 litres of milk per day for 280 days.
1
Margaret sells the milk in litre bottles.
2
Work out an estimate for the total number of bottles that Margaret will be able to fill with the milk.
You must show clearly how you got your estimate.
[3 marks]

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Question 10

Competition
a prize every 2014 seconds

In a competition, a prize is won every 2014 seconds.

Work out an estimate for the number of prizes won in 24 hours.
You must show your working.
[4 marks]

Question 11a
The mass of Jupiter is 1.899 x 1027 kg.
The mass of Saturn is 0.3 times the mass of Jupiter.
Work out an estimate for the mass of Saturn.
Give your answer in standard form.
[3 marks]

Question 11b
Give evidence to show whether your answer to (a) is an underestimate or an overestimate.
[1 mark]

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Question 12a
u2
D=
2a
u = 26. 2 correct to 3 significant figures
a = 4 . 3 correct to 2 significant figures
Calculate the upper bound for the value of D .
Give your answer correct to 6 significant figures.
You must show all your working.
[3 marks]

Question 12b
The lower bound for the value of D is 78. 6003 correct to 6 significant figures.
By considering bounds, write down the value of D to a suitable degree of accuracy.
You must give a reason for your answer.
[2 marks]

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Question 13
Edith’s van can safely carry a maximum load of 920 kilograms.

She wants to use her van to carry

30 sacks of potatoes, each of mass 25 kilograms to the nearest kilogram
and
20 sacks of carrots, each of mass 7.5 kilograms to 1 decimal place.
Can she definitely use her van safely in one journey?
You must show your working.
[4 marks]

Question 14
The length of a roll of ribbon is 30 metres, correct to the nearest half-metre.
A piece of length 5.8 metres, correct to the nearest 10 centimetres, is cut from the roll.
Work out the maximum possible length of ribbon left on the roll.
...................metres
[3 marks]

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Question 15
Claudine cycled a distance of 53 km in 2.7 hours.
The distance is measured correct to the nearest km.
The time is given correct to 1 decimal place.

Calculate the lower and upper bounds of her average speed.

Give your answers correct to 2 decimal places.

Lower bound = ................................ km/h
Upper bound = ..................................... km/h
[6 marks]

Question 16
Sunil makes 7.5 litres of soup, correct to the nearest 0.5 litre.
He serves the soup in 300 ml portions, correct to the nearest 10 ml.
24 people order this soup.

Does Sunil definitely have enough soup to serve the 24 people?

Show how you decide.
[4 marks]

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5.4 Very Hard Problems

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Rounding, Estimation & Bounds

Question Paper

Course Edexcel IGCSE Maths

Section 1. Numbers & the Number System
Topic Rounding, Estimation & Bounds
Difficulty Very Hard

Time Allowed 50
Score /34
Percentage /100

Check your answers

Page 1 of 9

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Question 1

[5 marks]

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Question 2

[5 marks]

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Question 3

[5 marks]

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Question 4

[3 marks]

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Question 5a

[3 marks]

Question 5b

[1 mark]

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Question 6a

[3 marks]

Question 6b

[1 mark]

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Question 7

The dimensions of a rectangular floor are to the nearest 0.1 metres.

A force of 345 Newtons is applied to the floor.

The force is to the nearest 5 Newtons.

force
pressure =
area

Work out the upper bound of the pressure.

Give your answer to 4 significant figures.
You must show your working.
........................N/m2 [5]
[5 marks]

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Question 8
A £1 coin weighs 8.75 g, correct to the nearest 0.01 g.
Mitul weighs the contents of a large bag of £1 coins.
The coins weigh 2.63 kg, correct to the nearest 10 g.
Mitul says
I am sure that the bag contains exactly £300 because, using bounds,
2625 ÷ 8.755 = 299.8 to 1 decimal place.
Show that Mitul may not be correct.
[3]
[3 marks]

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5.5 Notes

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Edexcel IGCSE Maths Your notes

Rounding, Estimation & Bounds

Contents
Rounding & Estimation
Upper & Lower Bounds

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Rounding & Estimation

Your notes
Rounding & Estimation
How do I round numbers to a given place value?
Identify the digit in the required place value and circle the number to the right
This number will determine whether to round up or round off
e.g. To round 1294 to the nearest 100 you would find the 2 digit and then use the 9 to decide how to
round 12 9 4
Identify the two options that the number could round to
e.g. the two nearest 100's to 1294 are 1200 and 1300
Be careful if your digit is a 9 and the next number up will affect the higher place values
e.g. the nearest 2 decimal places to 3.497 are 3.49 and 3.50
If the circled number is 5 or more then you round to the bigger number
If the circled number is less than 5 then you round to the smaller number
You then put a zero in any following place values before the decimal
If you are rounding to nearest decimal places then make sure you leave your answer with the
required amount of decimal places - do not put unnecessary zeros
e.g. 1297 to the nearest 100 is 1300
e.g. 3.497 to two decimal places (nearest 100th) is 3.50 (exactly two decimal places in answer)
How do I round to significant figures?
Rounding to significant figures is the same as rounding to place value
You just need to identify the relevant place value
Find the first significant figure
Find the biggest place value that has a non-zero digit
The first significant figure of 3097 is 3
The first significant figure of 0.006207 is 3
Start with this number and count along to the right
You do count the following zeros
e.g. 0 is the second significant figure of 3097
e.g. 9 is the third significant figure of 3097
Use the normal rules for rounding
Circle the number to the right
Use this to determine whether the given significant figure rounds up or rounds off
Why do we use estimation?
We estimate to find approximations for difficult sums
Or to check our answers are about the right size (right order of magnitude)
How do I estimate?

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We round numbers to something sensible before calculating

GENERAL RULE:
Round numbers to 1 significant figure Your notes
7.8 ➝ 8
18 ➝ 20
3.65 × 10-4 ➝ 4 × 10-4
1080 ➝ 1000
EXCEPTIONS:
It can be more sensible (or easier) to round to something convenient
16.2 ➝ 15
9.1 ➝ 10
1180 ➝ 1200
It wouldn’t usually make sense to round a number to zero
How do I know if I have underestimated or overestimated?
For addition
If you round both numbers up then you will overestimate
If you round both numbers down then you will underestimate
For multiplication
If you round both numbers up then you will overestimate
If you round both numbers down then you will underestimate
Subtraction and division are more complicated
You need to consider the effects of rounding each number
For subtraction a - b
Increasing a and/or decreasing b will increase the answer so you will overestimate
Decreasing a and/or increasing b will decrease the answer so you will underestimate
If both numbers are increased or both are decreased then you can not easily tell if it is an
underestimate or underestimate
For division a ÷ b
Increasing a and/or decreasing b will increase the answer so you will overestimate
Decreasing a and/or increasing b will decrease the answer so you will underestimate
If both numbers are increased or both are decreased then you can not easily tell if it is an
underestimate or underestimate

Exam Tip
When rounding to a degree of accuracy greater than ten, remember to add the necessary zeros to
ensure the place value of the number is not changed
For example to round the number 5760 to the nearest hundred, the answer should be 5800,
not 58

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Worked example
Your notes
17. 3 × 3 . 81
Calculate an estimate for . State, with a reason, whether the estimate is an
11 . 5
overestimate or an underestimate.
Round each number to 1 significant figure.
17.3 → 20
3.81 → 4
11.5 → 10
Perform the calculation with the rounded numbers.

An estimate is 8.
This is an overestimate as the numerator was rounded up and the denominator was rounded down.

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Upper & Lower Bounds

Your notes
Upper & Lower Bounds & Error Intervals
What are upper and lower bounds?
Bounds are the smallest (lower bound, LB) and largest (upper bound, UB) numbers that a rounded
number can lie between
It simply means how low or high the number could have been before it was rounded
The bounds for a number, x , can be written as LB ≤ x < UB
Note that the lower bound is included in the range of values x could have taken but the upper
bound is not
How do we find bounds when a number has been rounded?
The basic rule is “Half Up, Half Down”
UPPER BOUND – To find the upper bound add on half the degree of accuracy
LOWER BOUND – To find the lower bound take off half the degree of accuracy
ERROR INTERVAL: LB ≤ x < UB
Note that it is tempting to think that the Upper Bound should end in a 9, or 99, etc. but if you look at the
Error Interval – LB ≤ x < UB – it does NOT INCLUDE the Upper Bound so all is well
the upper bound is the cut off point for the greatest value that the number could have been
rounded from but will not actually round to the number itself
For example, the error interval for the number 1230, rounded to 3 significant figures will be 1225 ≤ x <
1235
The degree of accuracy is 10 (rounding to 3 s.f. here requires rounding to the nearest ten)
Half the degree of accuracy is 5

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Worked example
Your notes
The length of a road, l , is given as l = 3 . 6 km , correct to 1 decimal place.

Find the lower and upper bounds for l .

The degree of accuracy is 1 decimal place, or 0.1 km so the true value could be up to 0.05 km above or
below this
Upper bound:
3.6 + 0.05 = 3.65 km
Lower bound:
3.6 - 0.05 = 3.55 km
Upper bound: 3.65 km
Lower bound: 3.55 km

We could also write this as an error interval of , although this is not asked for in this
question

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Calculations using Bounds

How do I find the bounds of a calculation? Your notes
If you are adding two numbers together: T =a + b
The upper bound of T can be found by adding together the upper bound of a and the upper
bound of b
The lower bound of T can be found by adding together the lower bound of a and the lower bound
of b
If you are subtracting a number from another number: T =a - b
The upper bound of T can be found by using the upper bound of a and subtracting the lower
bound of b
The lower bound of T can be found by using the lower bound of a and subtracting the upper
bound of b
If you are multiplying two numbers together: T =a × b
The upper bound of T can be found by multiplying together the upper bound of a and the upper
bound of b
The lower bound of T can be found by multiplying together the lower bound of a and the lower
bound of b
If you are dividing a number by another number: T =a ÷ b
The upper bound of T can be found by using the upper bound of a and dividing it by the lower
bound of b
The lower bound of T can be found by using the lower bound of a and dividing it by the upper
bound of b
How can bounds help with calculations?
You can use bounds to calculate the level of accuracy of a calculation
This can be used to decide how to round your answer
e.g. If the lower bound of an value is 8.33217... and the upper bound is 8.33198...
The true value is between 8.33217... and 8.33198...
Both bounds round to 8.332 to 4sf
To 5sf they differ (first is 8.3322 and second is 8.3320)
Therefore you know the answer is definitely rounds to 8.332 to 4 significant figures

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Worked example
Your notes
(a) A room measures 4 m by 7 m, where each measurement is made to the nearest metre
Find the upper and lower bounds for the area of the room
Find the bounds for each dimension, you could write these as error intervals, or just write down the
upper and lower bounds
As they have been rounded to the nearest metre, the true values could be up to 0.5 m bigger or smaller

Calculating the lower bound of the area, using the two smallest measurements
3.5 × 6.5 =
Lower Bound = 22.75 m2
Calculating the upper bound of the area, using the two largest measurements
4.5 × 7.5 =
Upper Bound = 33.75 m2
(b) David is trying to work out how many slabs he needs to buy in order to lay a garden path.
Slabs are 50 cm long, measured to the nearest 10 cm.
The length of the path is 6 m, measured to the nearest 10 cm.
Find the maximum number of slabs David will need to buy.
Find the bounds for each measurement, you could write these as error intervals, or just write down the
upper and lower bounds
As they have been rounded to the nearest 10 cm, the true values could be up to 5 cm bigger or smaller
We have a mixture of centimetres and metres, so it is useful to change them both to metres for later
calculations

Length of the slabs: or in metres:

Length of the path:

The maximum number of slabs needed will be when the path is as long as possible (6.05 m), and the
slabs are as short as possible (0.45 m)

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Max number of slabs =

Your notes
Assuming we can only purchase whole slabs
The maximum number of slabs to be bought is 14

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6 Conclusion
Key Takeaways

• Understanding rounding and significant figures helps improve estimation accuracy.

• Bounds provide a range for measurements that include potential errors due to rounding.

• Calculations with bounds ensure that approximations are reliable and clearly defined.

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