Lesson 2

Whether you are determining the race time for an athlete or determining whether your fridge can fit into a certain space, being able to calculate the uncertainty of measurement is important.

Self-Check 3

A zoo wants to acquire a new animal. However, they must ensure that they can provide the animal with an environment that is as close as possible to its natural environment. For this particular animal, the difference between the highest and lowest temperatures in its natural environment does not exceed 8°C. Several animal houses are available and the zookeeper wants the animal to be as comfortable as possible.

Study the following table regarding four different animal houses; then answer the questions that follow.

1. Are any of the animal houses in the table suitable for the new animal?
2. What other factors, beyond temperature range, should be considered for the new animal?

Answer

You have learned how to determine the precision of a measuring instrument and how to use this in calculating the uncertainty of a measurement. You have also learned how to add and subtract measurements including their degree of uncertainty. You will now apply this in the following Self-Check.

Self-Check 4