Rounding in the HSC (1 Viewer)

[specificagent1]

So for subjects like Chem and Maths, if they dont specify how many sig fig/dp to round to, what do you round to?

 

[DheerChoudhury]

From my understanding, it's that if you're multiplying/dividing, go with the least number of sigfigs you're given. And if adding/subtracting, then the least number of decimal places.

 

[Trebla]

Usually for Maths they make it very clear in the question what sort of rounding they want, otherwise the default is always exact values.

 

[specificagent1]

Usually for Maths they make it very clear in the question what sort of rounding they want, otherwise the default is always exact values.

I've noticed for some they dont

 

[specificagent1]

From my understanding, it's that if you're multiplying/dividing, go with the least number of sigfigs you're given. And if adding/subtracting, then the least number of decimal places.

sounds arbitrary

 

[Trebla]

I've noticed for some they dont

Example?

 

[specificagent1]

Example?

From the 2020 adv math

 

[cossine]

So for subjects like Chem and Maths, if they dont specify how many sig fig/dp to round to, what do you round to?

What I like to do in these scenarios is use wavy equal signs. This way it is understood rounding is occuring. General I think the standard is round to two decimal points or 2 significant figures but there are no hard rules to my knowledge.

So in 21 a) you could have written T = <some math expression> "wavy equal sign" 61.6 degrees

 

[tito981]

So for subjects like Chem and Maths, if they dont specify how many sig fig/dp to round to, what do you round to?

I have heard for science they have to allocate 1 mark to significant figures, this usually comes at the beginning of the exam. somebody correct me if im wrong.

 

[icycledough]

I have heard for science they have to allocate 1 mark to significant figures, this usually comes at the beginning of the exam. somebody correct me if im wrong.

I heard slightly different that in the sciences, they don't allocate sig.fig marks for all the calculation questions. They will allocate it for a few (which you won't know obviously, unless they explicitly mention it) and then mark it like that.

 

[fnsndgfg]

Has anyone ever even lost marks for not rounding enough? (Unless it is meant to be an exact value).
i.e answering 2.35634 instead of 2.4.

I normally write out the non-rounded version before the rounded answer to be safe so the marker knows where I rounded from.

 

[specificagent1]

I have heard for science they have to allocate 1 mark to significant figures, this usually comes at the beginning of the exam. somebody correct me if im wrong.

ye this was what i was told too

 

[tito981]

I heard slightly different that in the sciences, they don't allocate sig.fig marks for all the calculation questions. They will allocate it for a few (which you won't know obviously, unless they explicitly mention it) and then mark it like that.

Yeah thats what i meant to say, but i think there is only 1 actual mark they can allocate not a few marks.

 

[YourLocalDumbAss]

Has anyone ever even lost marks for not rounding enough? (Unless it is meant to be an exact value).
i.e answering 2.35634 instead of 2.4.

I normally write out the non-rounded version before the rounded answer to be safe so the marker knows where I rounded from.

That’s what everyone should be doing. If there are continuously the same number and changes, to be time efficient put … after 3/4 digits into the raw rounded version and then elaborate from there.

 

[specificagent1]

That’s what everyone should be doing. If there are continuously the same number and changes, to be time efficient put … after 3/4 digits into the raw rounded version and then elaborate from there.

haaha that's good to hear because i've been doing that all along. I was just wondering after the ... line what we round it to