Every Level 2 paper has at least one ‘estimate’ question and several where the mark depends on rounding sensibly – to the nearest penny, to a whole number of boxes, to one decimal place. This free worksheet covers decimal places, significant figures, estimating by rounding to one significant figure, and deciding what rounding a real situation needs.
Free to download, print and share for personal or classroom use. Answers included.
What’s in this worksheet
- Section A – Decimal places and significant figures (10 marks)
- Section B – Estimating (11 marks)
- Section C – Sensible rounding in context (10 marks)
- Revise box with the rules and methods for the topic
- Worked answers for every question
Common mistakes on this topic
From our tutors’ marking and the most recent examiner reports – check your work against these:
- Estimating with exact numbers – the mark is for rounding to 1 s.f. before calculating and showing it.
- Rounding too early in a multi-step calculation. Keep full accuracy until the final answer.
- Rounding 0.03974 to 2 s.f. as 0.04 rather than 0.040 – both digits must be shown when asked for 2 s.f.
How to use it
- Print the worksheet (or work on screen) and attempt every question without looking at the answers. Give yourself a rough time limit – Level 2 exams are tight.
- Mark your work against the answer page. For maths, check the method as well as the final number; method marks are where most of the marks are.
- Read the ‘common mistakes’ notes below and check whether any of them happened to you. Then redo the questions you got wrong a day later.
Related free resources
- Decimals Worksheet – Functional Skills Maths Level 2
- Fractions, Decimals and Percentages Worksheet – Functional Skills Maths Level 2
- Level 2 Maths Mini Practice Paper 1 – Functional Skills Maths Level 2
- All free Functional Skills Maths Level 2 resources
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between decimal places and significant figures?
Decimal places count digits after the decimal point. Significant figures count from the first non-zero digit wherever it is. 0.03974 to 2 decimal places is 0.04; to 2 significant figures it is 0.040.
How do I estimate an answer in the Functional Skills exam?
Round every number in the calculation to one significant figure, write those rounded numbers down, and calculate. 38.7 × 21.2 becomes 40 × 20 = 800. The mark is for the rounding and the method, not for being close.
When should I round up in a Functional Skills question?
When the answer is a number of things you need enough of – packs, tins, coaches, staff. When the answer is a number of complete things you can make, round down. Money is rounded to the nearest penny unless told otherwise.
Want a tutor to mark your work? Not sure where you stand? Take the free 15-minute mini mock test. Ready to get qualified? Our live 10-week Functional Skills Level 2 Maths course runs in small groups with a mock exam included, and the 5-day revision course is there if your exam is close.