2 replies to this topic

[Entreri]

Hello everyone

I just have a quick question about the IAs. I'm quite sure that the number of significant figures for all IB math exams/IAs/whatever is 3 right?

Also, what are the rules about the use of scientific notation in IAs? For a number such as 0.00064, would I write it as 6.4E-4?

[Emy Glau-ski]

Yes, if you are not giving an exact answer, such as pi or the square root of 3, you will give it to three significant figures. So pi, if not written in its symbol form, would be 3.14 for example.

You're almost right on scientific notation. Since you are using three significant figures, you would express it as 6.40 x 10^-4 instead of 6.4 because you need that third sig fig. I'm not sure if you could write the E since that's a calculator function, but I know for certain that the "(number) x 10 to the whatever" form is correct.

[Entreri]

Thanks