Rounding off error

[TrueTears]

Okay, well I always store the exact value or at least to 12 d.p in my calc and use these exact or "close to exact" values for the next part which involve them.

However in TSSM 2008 methods exam 2, one part said "find [this] to 4.dp"

However [this] value was needed for the next part, so I wrote the answer as 4 dp but used the exact value stored in my calc for the next part. However in the answers they used the rounded off 4.dp answer from the last part and their answers differs from mine.

In the actual exam what do you do? Do you use the exact or close to exact value stored in the calc for the next part, or do you use the [however many rounded off d.p] from the previous part for the next part?

[enwiabe]

Yeah, this is a problem on TSSM's part. VCAA instructs you (in the calculator assisted exam) to use the stored value. You are expected to use the stored value, and this is good practise. TSSM got it wrong.

Although, I am given to believe that VCAA is supposed to accept both answers based on what my teacher told me when I asked this exact question of him 3 years ago.

[TrueTears]

Thanks!

Yeah their 2008 exam is quite dodgy, they used the rounded off answer for almost every single extended response question haha

[ENTER 99.95]

nah i disagree, both answers are acceptbale, that is what my teacher told me.  he marks the exams every year and if you use the answer from the past question rounded to what the question has asked, then this is acceptable.  you get the same marks whichever way you do it, so what's the prob?