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:

  1. A: Between 76.8 m/s and 77.2 m/s
    This measurement is provided as a range. The midpoint is 76.8+77.22=77.0m/s\frac{76.8 + 77.2}{2} = 77.0 \, \text{m/s}, and the range (precision) is ±0.2m/s\pm 0.2 \, \text{m/s}.

  2. B: 74 m/s
    This is a single value without any indication of uncertainty or range.

  3. C: 75.5 m/s ± 0.70%
    The uncertainty in this measurement is 0.70%0.70\% of 75.5 m/s, which equals 75.5×0.007=0.5285m/s75.5 \times 0.007 = 0.5285 \, \text{m/s}. So, the measurement can be expressed as 75.5m/s±0.53m/s75.5 \, \text{m/s} \pm 0.53 \, \text{m/s}.

  4. D: 75 m/s ± 0.1 m/s
    This measurement has a clear uncertainty, indicating it could be anywhere between 74.9m/s74.9 \, \text{m/s} and 75.1m/s75.1 \, \text{m/s}.

Evaluating Accuracy:

  • 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 77.076=1.0|77.0 - 76| = 1.0 m/s away from the true value.
    • B: 74 m/s is 7476=2.0|74 - 76| = 2.0 m/s away from the true value.
    • C: 75.5 m/s is 75.576=0.5|75.5 - 76| = 0.5 m/s away from the true value.
    • D: 75 m/s is 7576=1.0|75 - 76| = 1.0 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:

  1. How does the percentage uncertainty affect the accuracy of a measurement?
  2. Why is precision important in scientific measurements?
  3. Can a measurement be precise but not accurate? Explain with an example.
  4. How can one reduce the uncertainty in a measurement?
  5. 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