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Different measuring tools have different degrees of accuracy. The accuracy of a measurement is determined by how close a measured value is to the actual value.

Precision or consistency of the measurement is determined by the smallest increment on the measuring device being used.

When marking the length of a football field, a device with a precision of 0.1 cm is not needed—a field that is off by a centimetre is unlikely to affect the outcome of a game.

A ruler is precise to the nearest 0.1 mm. A micrometer can measure to the nearest 0.001 mm. Therefore, a micrometer can measure more accurately than a ruler.

A digital scale is precise to the nearest gram. A multi-purpose scale can measure to the nearest 0.1 mm, 100 g, or 0.1 kg . Therefore, a digital scale can measure more accurately than a multi-purpose scale.

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