How do you know when to use the previous rounded value or exact value in the exam?
In the methods exam if a question asks to write the answer correct to 4 decimal places, and the following question requires you to use the value found in the previous question…
Should you use the rounded value or the non-rounded value?
This happens quite often in the probability section of the exams.
Where you’ll be asked to find the probability of an event – then in the following question you’ll be asked to find the probability of another event – but you need to use the information you found in the previous question..
Now if you don’t know which value to use from the previous question – ie rounded value or non rounded value…
you may risk losing marks.
Because the examiners are strict about this.
Here’s what you need to remember..
The only time you use a rounded value is at the very end, when you’re writing down the final answer to the question.
If you require the information from a previous question – then you use the non rounded value for your calculations.
This is easier than one may think…
You don’t need to write out the answer with 20 decimal places, then on the next question punch in these figures.
All you need to do is go back to your calculator and copy and paste the previous answer and use it in the new calculations.
This way your final answer will be as accurate as possible.