Math Problem Statement
A measurement gives 76 m/s. Decide which measurement is the most accurate and which one is the most precise. A: between 76.8 m/s and 77.2 m/s B: 74 m/s C: 75.5 m/s +or- 0.70% D: 75 m/s +or- 0.1 m/s
Solution
To determine which measurement is the most accurate and which one is the most precise, we need to understand the definitions of accuracy and precision:
- Accuracy refers to how close a measured value is to the true value.
- Precision refers to how close repeated measurements are to each other or how finely a measurement is specified.
Given the measurements and their descriptions:
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A: Between 76.8 m/s and 77.2 m/s
This measurement is provided as a range. The midpoint is , and the range (precision) is . -
B: 74 m/s
This is a single value without any indication of uncertainty or range. -
C: 75.5 m/s ± 0.70%
The uncertainty in this measurement is of 75.5 m/s, which equals . So, the measurement can be expressed as . -
D: 75 m/s ± 0.1 m/s
This measurement has a clear uncertainty, indicating it could be anywhere between and .
Evaluating Accuracy:
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The most accurate measurement is the one closest to the given measurement of 76 m/s.
- A: The midpoint is 77.0 m/s, which is m/s away from the true value.
- B: 74 m/s is m/s away from the true value.
- C: 75.5 m/s is m/s away from the true value.
- D: 75 m/s is m/s away from the true value.
Therefore, C (75.5 m/s ± 0.53 m/s) is the most accurate measurement.
Evaluating Precision:
-
The most precise measurement has the smallest uncertainty or range.
- A: The range is 0.4 m/s (± 0.2 m/s).
- B: No precision is provided (no uncertainty).
- C: The uncertainty is 0.53 m/s (± 0.53 m/s).
- D: The uncertainty is 0.1 m/s (± 0.1 m/s).
Therefore, D (75 m/s ± 0.1 m/s) is the most precise measurement.
Summary:
- Most Accurate: Measurement C (75.5 m/s ± 0.53 m/s)
- Most Precise: Measurement D (75 m/s ± 0.1 m/s)
Would you like more details or have any questions?
Here are five questions that expand on this topic:
- How does the percentage uncertainty affect the accuracy of a measurement?
- Why is precision important in scientific measurements?
- Can a measurement be precise but not accurate? Explain with an example.
- How can one reduce the uncertainty in a measurement?
- What methods are used to determine the true value in a measurement?
Tip: Always report both the measurement and its uncertainty to provide a complete picture of your data's reliability.
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Math Problem Analysis
Mathematical Concepts
Measurement
Accuracy
Precision
Uncertainty
Formulas
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Theorems
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Suitable Grade Level
High School
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