The Accuracy of Figures. Further Remarks

Extract

Considering the pertinent remarks on “Approximations” in The Teaching of Arithmetic in Schools, the steady change of treatment of the subject in text-books and the recent article by Mr. Inman in the Gazette, it seems that considerable independent investigation of this matter has been going on. Also few people will disagree with Mr. Inman when he says that the teaching of the subject leaves room for improvement. That here is matter worth spending time on in the classroom is clear—but the same may be said of many more topics than we can ever have time to deal with. It is in the belief that the subject of the accuracy of figures, or approximations, is one we really ought not to omit that I venture further remarks.