New
New
Year 8

Rounding integers to significant figures

I can round integers to a required number of significant figures.

New
New
Year 8

Rounding integers to significant figures

I can round integers to a required number of significant figures.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The first non-zero digit of a number is the first significant figure.
  2. Once the first significant figure is identified you can find any significant figure.
  3. It is important to know when zeros are and are not significant when rounding integers.
  4. Integers can be rounded to any number of significant figures.

Common misconception

Assuming all zero digits are not significant.

Designing questions that contain zero digits in a variety of positions.

Keywords

  • Significant figures - Significant figures are the digits in a number that contribute to the accuracy of the number. The first significant figure is the first non-zero digit.

  • Round - To change a number into another number that is approximately the same value but is easier to work with. E.g. round 561 to the nearest 10 is 560.

Using the same cross-number grid or a simplified version, challenge pupils to come up with their own questions and answers. Ensuring that all numbers fit and coming up with appropriate questions with the correct number of significant figures will ensure a deep understanding of significant figures.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
Significant figures are the digits in a number that contribute to the of the number.
Correct Answer: accuracy
Q2.
Select all the numbers which have 6 as the first significant figure.
46
Correct answer: 68
Correct answer: 606
46 266
Correct answer: 600 606
Q3.
In the number 45 026, in which column is the first significant figure?
tens
hundreds
thousands
Correct answer: ten thousands
hundred thousands
Q4.
Match each number to its value when it is rounded to one significant figure.
Correct Answer:356 268,four hundred thousand

four hundred thousand

Correct Answer:42.689,forty

forty

Correct Answer:449.09,four hundred

four hundred

Correct Answer:3 591 054,four million

four million

Correct Answer:3560,four thousand

four thousand

Q5.
Round 85 026 to one significant figure.
Correct Answer: 90 000
Q6.
What value could the missing digit be in 5$$\square$$ 265 = 50 000 (to 1 s.f.)?
7
6
5
Correct answer: 4
Correct answer: 3

6 Questions

Q1.
In the number 50 872, the 8 is the significant figure.
Correct Answer: third, 3rd
Q2.
Select all the numbers which have 7 as the third significant figure.
Correct answer: 507
Correct answer: 827.04
12 076.59
Correct answer: 507 365
8 005 729
Q3.
Select all the numbers which have zeros that are not needed to preserve the place value of other digits.
60.006
6006.06
Correct answer: 60 660.0600
66 000
Correct answer: 606 606.66000
Q4.
Match each number to the correct statement.
Correct Answer:5094,4 is the fourth significant figure

4 is the fourth significant figure

Correct Answer:50 904 ,4 is the fifth significant figure

4 is the fifth significant figure

Correct Answer:509 004,4 is the sixth significant figure

4 is the sixth significant figure

Correct Answer:954 000,4 is the third significant figure

4 is the third significant figure

Correct Answer:4 050 090 ,4 is the first significant figure

4 is the first significant figure

Q5.
Round 50 904 to 2 significant figures.
Correct Answer: 51 000
Q6.
Round 40 956.644 to 3 significant figures.
Correct Answer: 41 000