Rounding and estimation

Introduction

For many calculations you use a calculator. The main aim of this course is to help you to do this in a sensible and fruitful way. Using a calculation to solve a problem involves four main stages:

• Stage 1: working out what calculation you want to do;

• Stage 2: working out roughly what size of answer to expect from your calculation;

• Stage 3: carrying out the calculation;

• Stage 4: interpreting the answer – Does it agree with the rough estimate? Does it make sense in terms of the original problem?

This course focuses on Stages 2 and 4.

This OpenLearn course provides a sample of level 1 study in Mathematics [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] .