Edexcel GCSE Maths

Estimation & error intervals

Edexcel GCSE Maths revision on Estimation & error intervals. Aligned to the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Mathematics 1MA1 specification. This bank has 16 practice questions on this topic.

Sample questions (3 of 16)

  1. Question 1

    What is the result of 4.1 multiplied by 8.9 estimated by rounding each number to the nearest whole number?

    • A) Thirty six as four times nine
    • B) Forty five as five times nine
    • C) Thirty two as four times eight
    • D) Twenty eight as four times seven
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    Answer: Thirty six as four times nine

    Rounding 4.1 gives 4, and rounding 8.9 gives 9. Multiplying these gives 36, which is a useful estimation for the actual product of 36.49.

  2. Question 2

    A length is measured as 14 cm, rounded to the nearest centimetre. What is the lower bound of this measurement?

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    Answer: 13.5

    The lower bound is found by subtracting half of the degree of accuracy from the measured value. Since the measurement is to the nearest 1 cm, we subtract 0.5 cm from 14 cm to get 13.5 cm.

  3. Question 3

    Which of these expressions provides the best estimate for the calculation 502 divided by 9.8?

    • A) Five hundred divided by ten
    • B) Four hundred divided by eight
    • C) Six hundred divided by twelve
    • D) Seven hundred divided by nine
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    Answer: Five hundred divided by ten

    Rounding 502 to 500 and 9.8 to 10 makes the calculation 500 divided by 10, which equals 50. This provides a much simpler mental estimate than the other options.

Want to test yourself on the remaining cards for this topic?

13 more questions on Estimation & error intervals — plus mistakes tracking and spaced repetition across the whole Maths spec.