IB Math AI Worksheet 1.6 - Approximation, Estimation, and Percentage Error

IB Math AI SL 1.6 – Approximation, Estimation, and Percentage Error Worksheet

Topic: Number and Algebra
Level: IB Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation (SL)
File Type: Printable Worksheet / Student Practice Sheet

Overview

This worksheet develops students’ understanding of approximation, estimation, and percentage error — key numerical skills introduced in IB Math AI SL Topic 1.6.
Students learn to round numbers to significant figures and decimal places, perform quick mental estimations, and measure accuracy using absolute and percentage error.

The worksheet bridges theoretical understanding with real-world reasoning, helping students evaluate the reliability of measurements, predictions, and calculations. It provides scaffolded practice that builds both numerical fluency and critical estimation skills.

Learning Objectives

By completing this worksheet, students will be able to:

• Round values accurately to specified significant figures and decimal places.
• Estimate the results of calculations using one-significant-figure approximations.
• Apply rounding and estimation techniques to real-world numerical contexts.
• Calculate percentage errors and interpret their meaning in practical scenarios.
• Develop a sense of numerical reasonableness when working with approximations.

What’s Included

• Practice converting numbers to three significant figures and specific decimal places.
• Exercises estimating sums, products, and quotients using simplified values.
• Word problems assessing the accuracy of predictions using percentage error.
• Worked examples demonstrating estimation and rounding techniques.
• Comprehensive answer key for all questions to support independent correction.
• Clean, printable layout ideal for classwork, homework, or exam preparation.

Topics Covered

• Rounding to significant figures and decimal places.
• One-significant-figure estimation methods.
• Approximation in arithmetic operations.
• Calculating and interpreting percentage error.
• Assessing accuracy and tolerance in numerical contexts.

Why You’ll Love It

Fully aligned with IB Math AI SL Topic 1: Number and Algebra, this worksheet helps students balance precision with practicality in mathematical reasoning.
It strengthens foundational number sense while fostering real-world problem-solving skills — perfect for reinforcing classroom lessons or preparing for internal assessments and examinations.

Tags

IB Math AI SL, IB Mathematics, Number and Algebra, Approximation, Estimation, Percentage Error, Significant Figures, Decimal Places, Rounding, Numerical Reasoning, Error Analysis, IB Math Worksheet, Printable Math Worksheet, Student Practice Sheet, IB Topic 1, Measurement Accuracy, Full Marks Education