Examination questions at AS and A2 sometimes ask for an estimate of a quantity. This often confuses students who either assume, incorrectly, that this means ‘guess’, or else worry about the uncertainty in the data and try to work out an answer to several significant figures. Neither is the correct approach although, of the two, guessing is definitely not appropriate.
As well as being able to quickly and confidently convert units, for example from mm2 to m2, the key to making successful estimates is to develop a feel for the size of common quantities and the units in which they are measured. This involves looking for simple ways to get close to a measurement by making connections between what you know and what you need to find out.
Your organisation does not have access to this article.
Sign up today to give your students the edge they need to achieve their best grades with subject expertise
Subscribe
