Examples of what pupils should know and be able to do
Know when to insert zeros as placeholders to indicate the degree of significance of the number. For example, 1.4007 is 1.40 to three significant figures.
Use numbers rounded to a given number of significant figures to work out an approximate answer.
Probing questions
Why do we need significant figures for rounding?
What if pupils find this a barrier?
Use sorting activities to help pupils explore the connections between decimal places and significant figures. See Teaching mental mathematics from level 5: number page 18.
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