IB Math AI HL · 2021 to 2025

1.6 Approximating and estimating

8 past paper questions from 4 papers across 4 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.

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HL archive · 2022 to 2026

1.6 Approximating and estimating

Latest exam session: May 2026

questions
8
questions
papers
4
papers
exam sessions
4
exam sessions
micro-topics
3

Micro-topics in 1.6 Approximating and estimating

In syllabus order. The ring is the share of papers each appears in.

  • 2

    1.6.2

    Absolute and Relative Error

    1 question · in 2% of papersAppears in 1 of the 54 Math AI HL papers analysed (2%), at least once each.

    Less common

    last May 26 P1 TZB

  • 6

    1.6.3

    Upper and Lower Bounds

    6 questions · in 6% of papersAppears in 3 of the 54 Math AI HL papers analysed (6%), at least once each.

    Less common

    last May 25 P1 TZ2

  • 2

    1.6.4

    Percentage Error in Context

    1 question · in 2% of papersAppears in 1 of the 54 Math AI HL papers analysed (2%), at least once each.

    Less common

    last May 26 P1 TZB

Exam pattern

How often each micro-topic has been examined, year by year. Each label is explained under the grid.

Does it repeat?

Questions per year for each micro-topic.

fewermore

Micro-topic202120222023202420252026
1.6.3Upper and Lower BoundsLess common
·Upper and Lower Bounds, 2021: 0 questions3Upper and Lower Bounds, 2022: 3 questions2Upper and Lower Bounds, 2023: 2 questions·Upper and Lower Bounds, 2024: 0 questions1Upper and Lower Bounds, 2025: 1 question·Upper and Lower Bounds, 2026: 0 questions
1.6.4Percentage Error in ContextLess common
·Percentage Error in Context, 2021: 0 questions·Percentage Error in Context, 2022: 0 questions·Percentage Error in Context, 2023: 0 questions·Percentage Error in Context, 2024: 0 questions·Percentage Error in Context, 2025: 0 questions1Percentage Error in Context, 2026: 1 question
1.6.2Absolute and Relative ErrorLess common
·Absolute and Relative Error, 2021: 0 questions·Absolute and Relative Error, 2022: 0 questions·Absolute and Relative Error, 2023: 0 questions·Absolute and Relative Error, 2024: 0 questions·Absolute and Relative Error, 2025: 0 questions1Absolute and Relative Error, 2026: 1 question
  • Less commonin fewer than one paper in fifteen

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Questions on 1.6 Approximating and estimating, by exam session

Which papers asked about 1.6 Approximating and estimating, and which question numbers. Open a paper to see them highlighted.

  • May 2026

    1 question across 1 paper

  • May 2025

    1 question across 1 paper

  • November 2023

    1 question across 1 paper

  • May 2022

    1 question across 1 paper

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Frequently asked questions

Short answers about this page.

Which Math AI HL exam sessions are covered for 1.6 Approximating and estimating?

11 exam sessions from 2022 to 2026, the latest May 2026. Every Paper 1 in every timezone is read and classified in full, which gives 4 papers in this archive.

Which 1.6 Approximating and estimating topic comes up most?

Upper and Lower Bounds (1.6.3): in 6% of papers, last seen May 25 P1 TZ2. Usually "find / solve", worth about 7 marks in a paper that includes it.

Can I see the original question and mark scheme?

No. The wording belongs to the IB. You get the citation, the marks, the command term and the skill tested, plus our own matched practice questions with worked answers and AI marking.

What do "banker", "due" and "rising" mean?

Banker: examined in at least one sitting in four and still appearing. Due: regular before, but absent for the last two exam sessions. Rising: clearly more common in the last two years. Our classification of real papers, not an IB statistic.

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Reading this page and the exam pattern is free. A free account generates three sets of ten questions and launches one practice set. Pro opens every question in any scope, sets of twenty or all, and unlimited practice.

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