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Perplex
Perplex
Dashboard
Topics
Exponents & LogarithmsApproximations & ErrorSequences & SeriesMatricesComplex NumbersFinancial Mathematics
Cartesian plane & linesFunction TheoryModellingTransformations & asymptotes
2D & 3D GeometryVoronoi DiagramsTrig equations & identitiesVectorsGraph Theory
ProbabilityDescriptive StatisticsBivariate StatisticsDistributions & Random VariablesInference & Hypotheses
DifferentiationIntegrationDifferential Equations
Review VideosFormula BookletMy Progress
BlogLanding Page
Sign UpLogin
Perplex
/
Approximations & Error
/
Rounding Numbers
Scientific Notation
Rounding Numbers
Approximations & Error

Rounding Numbers

0 of 0 exercises completed

Rounding, significant figures, decimal places

Want a deeper conceptual understanding? Try our interactive lesson!

Rounding rules
SL Core 1.1

There are standardized rules for how to approximate numerical values:

  • If the digit after the one being rounded off is LESS than ​5​ (​0,1,2,3,​ or ​4​), we round down.

  • If the digit after the one being rounded off is ​5​ OR MORE (​5,6,7,8,​ or ​9​), we round up.

    ​
    1.34∣5→1.35
    ​
    ​
    1.34∣4→1.34
    ​
Significant figures
SL Core 1.1

A significant figure is any digit that is not a leading or trailing zero. To round off to a number of significant figures, count off the specified number of significant figures, then round based off of rounding rules (down if the next digit is less than ​5, up if the digit is ​5​ or more).

problem image


NOTE: Unless a question states otherwise, on IB exams, you are expected to give answers to 3 significant figures.

Nice work completing Rounding Numbers, here's a quick recap of what we covered:

Skills covered

Mixed Practice

Exercises checked off

I'm Plex, here to help you understand this concept!
/
Approximations & Error
/
Rounding Numbers
Scientific Notation
Rounding Numbers
Approximations & Error

Rounding Numbers

0 of 0 exercises completed

Rounding, significant figures, decimal places

Want a deeper conceptual understanding? Try our interactive lesson!

Rounding rules
SL Core 1.1

There are standardized rules for how to approximate numerical values:

  • If the digit after the one being rounded off is LESS than ​5​ (​0,1,2,3,​ or ​4​), we round down.

  • If the digit after the one being rounded off is ​5​ OR MORE (​5,6,7,8,​ or ​9​), we round up.

    ​
    1.34∣5→1.35
    ​
    ​
    1.34∣4→1.34
    ​
Significant figures
SL Core 1.1

A significant figure is any digit that is not a leading or trailing zero. To round off to a number of significant figures, count off the specified number of significant figures, then round based off of rounding rules (down if the next digit is less than ​5, up if the digit is ​5​ or more).

problem image


NOTE: Unless a question states otherwise, on IB exams, you are expected to give answers to 3 significant figures.

Nice work completing Rounding Numbers, here's a quick recap of what we covered:

Skills covered

Mixed Practice

Exercises checked off

I'm Plex, here to help you understand this concept!

Generating starter questions...

Generating starter questions...