Exact answers: fractions
Exact answers with fractions
For this activity you will need a calculator. We are going to explore what happens when we round answers and then use these rounded in subsequent calculations. This will show how rounding errors can accumulate leading to unacceptable degrees of inaccuracy. We will consider strategies to avoid accumulating such errors.Task
Type into a calculator \(100 \div 13 \times 13\) and your answer gives a value of 100.Now type in \(100 \div 13\) and press equals.
So we have taken 100 and divided by 13 twice, so multiplying 0.59 by 13 then 13 again should return us to 100. Try it. What do you get? 99.71?We can continue this process: 0.59 divided by 13 gives 0.05 to 2 decimal places.\(0.05 \times 13 \times 13 \times 13\) should give 100, but using the method with our calculator above, it gives 109.85 quite a way from 100.Clear your calculator and type in 7.69 x 13. This should give an answer of 100 but your calculator gives 99.97. What might be the issues with this?Type in 7.69 and divide by 13 then round your answer to 2 decimal places. Do you get 0.59?
Fractions as exact answers
10 divided by 2 gives an answer of 5: this is an exact answer.10 divided by 4 gives an answer of 2.5: this is an exact answer.10 divided by 7 gives an answer of 1.428571429: this is not an exact answer as this number is a recurring decimal, which goes on for ever.Your calculator has rounded the answer to make it fit on the screen. The way to express this answer as an exact answer is as the fraction \(\frac{10}{7}\). We look more at fractions and recurring decimals in our accompanying course Maths subject knowledge: Fractions, decimals and percentages.Teaching resource
This activity on errors uses examples in the context of shape and space to help students understand how big errors may be, and how errors accumulate when measurements are used in calculations.Maths Subject Knowledge: Understanding Numbers

Our purpose is to transform access to education.
We offer a diverse selection of courses from leading universities and cultural institutions from around the world. These are delivered one step at a time, and are accessible on mobile, tablet and desktop, so you can fit learning around your life.
We believe learning should be an enjoyable, social experience, so our courses offer the opportunity to discuss what you’re learning with others as you go, helping you make fresh discoveries and form new ideas.
You can unlock new opportunities with unlimited access to hundreds of online short courses for a year by subscribing to our Unlimited package. Build your knowledge with top universities and organisations.
Learn more about how FutureLearn is transforming access to education