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9.2.4: Measurement Error (Part 1)

  • Page ID
    39472
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    Lesson

    Let's check how accurate our measurements are.

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{1}\): How Long Are These Pencils?

    clipboard_e132f708432469c02f31a98f5b474f2cd.png
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Two pencils, one significantly shorter than the other, are indicated by a ruler with millimeter and centimeter markings. The top pencils eraser lines up with 0 and the tip ends between 5 point 3 and 5 point 5 centimeters. The bottom pencils eraser lines up with the 0 and the tip ends between 17 point 6 and 17 point 8 centimeters.
    1. Estimate the length of each pencil.
    2. How accurate are your estimates?
    3. For each estimate, what is the largest possible percent error?

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{2}\): How Long Are These Floor Boards?

    A wood floor is made by laying multiple boards end to end. Each board is measured with a maximum percent error of 5%. What is the maximum percent error for the total length of the floor?


    This page titled 9.2.4: Measurement Error (Part 1) is shared under a CC BY license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Illustrative Mathematics.

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