MathsYears 9–11Number

Rounding error intervals and bounds

Learn Rounding error intervals and bounds for Years 9–11 pupils (ages 13–16). Free practice questions, lessons and worked examples — aligned to the UK National Curriculum.

What you'll learn

  1. 1

    A rounded measurement stands for a RANGE of possible values, not one exact value.

  2. 2

    A length given as 8 cm to the nearest cm could be anything from 7.5 cm up to (but not including) 8.5 cm.

  3. 3

    A mass is 40 kg to the nearest kg. What is the lower bound?

  4. 4

    The upper bound uses a strict "less than", because 8.5 would itself round up to 9.

  5. 5

    A time is 12.4 s to 1 decimal place. Half of 0.1 is 0.05, so the interval is 12.35 ≤ t < 12.45.

  6. 6

    A length is 25 cm to the nearest 5 cm. What is the interval?

  7. 7

    Why is the upper bound written with < rather than ≤?

Practise Rounding error intervals and bounds with Whizlo

Free AI-tutored lessons, unlimited practice questions, and progress tracking for ages 13–16. Aligned to the UK National Curriculum.