Back to Choose appropriate accuracy — Problem 1 · Task Set 6

Exercises: Choose a Level of Accuracy Appropriate to Limitations on Measurement When Reporting Quantities

Work through each section in order. Show your work where indicated. Remember: the goal is to report the right number of digits, not the most digits.

Grade 9·22 problems·~40 min·Common Core Math - HS Number and Quantity·standard·hsn-q-a-3

Work through problems with immediate feedback

Fluency Practice

A scientist measures the same length three times and gets: 3.70 cm, 3.70 cm, 3.70 cm. A colleague measures the same length once and reports: 3.7 cm. Which measurement communicates greater precision, and why?

3.7 cm — fewer digits means simpler and cleaner.

3.70 cm — the trailing zero after the decimal indicates measurement to the nearest 0.01 cm (three significant figures vs. two).

Both are equally precise — they represent the same number.

3.7 cm — shorter numbers are always preferred in science.