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VCE Stuff => VCE Mathematics => VCE Mathematics/Science/Technology => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE Mathematical Methods CAS => Topic started by: wilfred on November 07, 2009, 12:00:37 pm

Title: decimal places
Post by: wilfred on November 07, 2009, 12:00:37 pm
In an Exam 2 if a question asks for a solution to 4 decimal places then the next question asks you to use the information found in the previous question. Should i be using the rounded figure or the non rounded figure? if i were to use the wrong one would i lose marks?
thanks
Title: Re: decimal places
Post by: jimmy999 on November 07, 2009, 12:24:30 pm
You would use the non-rounded figure because in Maths, they want your answers to be as accurate as possible unlike Chem/Physics in which they only want your answers accurate to an appropriate number of significant figures.

My teacher suggest to write out the answers with as many decimal places as possible, then on the next line write the rounded number and box it as your answer
Title: Re: decimal places
Post by: dejan91 on November 07, 2009, 12:28:58 pm
Or use the store function on your calculator :)
Title: Re: decimal places
Post by: wilfred on November 07, 2009, 01:39:07 pm
thanks for that, ill make sure i dont miss that monday
Title: Re: decimal places
Post by: TrueTears on November 07, 2009, 04:28:16 pm
I remember asking this a while back, you won't get penalised even if you used the rounded number from the previous part. But yeah it's good habit to use the more exact answer.
Title: Re: decimal places
Post by: derivativex on November 07, 2009, 04:43:00 pm
Do you know if when they ask an approximation (eg. 4 decimal places) should we state it as:

x=32.1483

or

x≈32.1483

Title: Re: decimal places
Post by: mankay on November 07, 2009, 05:53:42 pm
Do you know if when they ask an approximation (eg. 4 decimal places) should we state it as:

x=32.1483

or

x≈32.1483

If it's a question that asks for a 'real-life answer' (e.g. area), i would do the latter, then do
(therefore symbol) 32.1483 units