MEP: Demonstration Project Teacher Support Y9B

UNIT 14 Estimation and Approximation Extra Exercises 14.1

1. Write each of the following numbers to the number of significant figures stated:
(a) 642 091 to 3 s.f. (b) 478 135 to 2 s.f.
(c) 336 312 to 3 s.f. (d) 42 499 to 3 s f.
(e) 1 837 400 to 1 s.f. (f) 0.08573 to 2 s.f.
(g) 6.4731 to 2 s.f. (h) 0.0008621 to 2 s.f.

2. Write the number 4735.8251 correct to:

(a) 2 decimal places,
(b) 1 significant figure,
(c) 1 decimal place,
(d) 4 significant figures.

3. A height is given as 172 cm correct to the nearest centimetre. Between which

two values does the height actually lie?

4. The length of a javelin throw is recorded as 32.8 m correct to the nearest 0.1 m.
(a) What is the maximum distance that the javelin could have been thrown?
(b) Alex states that the length of the throw is greater than 32.79 m.
Is this correct? If it in not correct, write a correct statement.

5. A recipe for a fruit pudding requires 500 grams of apples. A cook has a bag that
contains 12 kg of apples correct to the nearest kg.
(a) How many puddings could he definitely make?
(b) What is the maximum number of puddings that he could make?

The Gatsby Charitable Foundation

MEP: Demonstration Project Teacher Support Y9B

UNIT 14 Estimation and Approximation Extra Exercises 14.2

1. Estimate the answer to each of the following calculations, giving your answers to
1 significant figure:
(a) 3.76 18.5 (b) 11.2 216.4
(c) 3.624 19.37 (d) 5.9216 16.41
(e) 4713 17.6 (f) 5723 9.6
(g) 3647 17.3 (h) 8217 371

2. Three possible answers are given for each calculation below. Use estimation
to select the correct answer.
(a) 48.72 (b)
0.192
4704
4.2 11.6 = 487.2 = 1.92
4872 245 19.2

3. Estimate the value of:

19270
(a) 6.37 21.3 (b)
427

4. Estimate the volume of the cuboid shown

giving your answer to 1 significant figure.
5.6 cm

4.2 cm

3.7 cm

5. Estimate the area of a circle of radius 8.34 cm, giving your answer to 1 significant
figure.

The Gatsby Charitable Foundation

MEP: Demonstration Project Teacher Support Y9B

UNIT 14 Estimation and Approximation Extra Exercises 14.3

1. Use your calculator to calculate the answers to the following, giving your answers
to 3 significant figures:

3.6 7.1 3.2 5.2

(a) (b)
4.2 + 6 8.6 17.1

32 16 111 16
(c) + (d)
41 22 3

3 (2 0.6) 2.873 1.6

(e) (f)
1.7 0.4 3.4 + 1.71

3
92.6 + 48.2 33
(g) 4 (h)
57.3 49.6 11.2 6.4

2. Obtain an estimate, to 1 significant figure, for each of the following calculations.

Then calculate the answers, correct to 3 significant figures, and compare them
with your estimates.

23.7 24.2 110 15

(a) (b) +
1.31 2.1 3.1

8 36 27.1
(c) (d)
32.1 5.2 5.3

3. Calculate the area and perimeter of the triangle shown,

giving your answers to 3 significant figures.
2 2 + 12
3

1+ 2

The Gatsby Charitable Foundation

MEP: Demonstration Project Teacher Support Y9B

UNIT 14 Estimation and Approximation Extra Exercises 14.4

1. A square has sides that are of length 18 cm correct to the nearest centimetre.
Calculate the maximum and minimum possible values for:
(a) the perimeter,
(b) the area.

2. The values of a and b are given as 4.2 and 8.3 correct to 1 decimal place.
Determine the maximum and minimum values of each of the following
expressions, giving your answers to an appropriate degree of accuracy:
(a) a+b (b) a2+ b2 (c) ba
a a2 b
(d) (e) (f)
b b2 a

3. The dimensions of the cuboid shown are

given to the nearest 0.1 cm.
Determine the maximum and minimum 9.3 cm
possible volumes of the cuboid.

6.2 cm

4.8 cm

4. A circle has radius 14 m correct to the nearest 0.1 m.

Determine the maximum possible:
(a) circumference, (b) area,
of the circle.

The Gatsby Charitable Foundation

MEP: Demonstration Project Teacher Support Y9B

Extra Exercises 14.1 Answers

1. (a) 642 000 (b) 480 000 (c) 336 000 (d) 42 500
(e) 2 000 000 (f) 0.086 (g) 6.5 (h) 0.00086
2. (a) 4735.83 (b) 5000 (c) 4735.8 (d) 4736
3. 171.5 < h 172.5
4. (a) 32.85 m (b) No, greater than 32.75 m

5. (a) 23 (b) 25

Extra Exercises 14.2 Answers

1. (a) 80 (b) 2000 (c) 80 (d) 100
(e) 250 (f) 600 (g) 200 (h) 20
2. (a) 48.72 (b) 19.2
3. (a) 11 (b) 7
4. 100 cm 3
5. 200 cm 2

Extra Exercises 14.3 Answers

1. (a) 2.51 (b) 0.235 (c) 1.51 (d) 31.7
(e) 3.23 (f) 0.900 (g) 12.1 (h) 22.2
2. (a) 20, 20.9 (b) 9, 9.44 (c) 2, 1.54 (d) 2, 5.89
3. A = 3.62 P = 9.26

Extra Exercises 14.4 Answers

1. (a) 74 cm, 70 cm (b) 342.25 cm 2 , 306.25 cm 2

2. (a) 12.6, 12.4 (b) 87.785, 85.285
(c) 4.2, 4 (d) 0.5152, 0.4970 (to 4 s.f.)
(e) 0.2654, 0.2470 (to 4 s.f.) (f) 2.012, 1.941 (to 4 s.f.)

3. 283 cm 3 , 270 cm 3 (to 3 s.f.)

4. (a) 88.3 m (b) 620 m 2 (to 3 s.f.)

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