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Degrees of Precision

In some situations, a high degree of precision is required. If windows are being replaced in a house, the window measurements must be precise to avoid drafts in the winter. If a picture is hung in the middle of a wall, there would be little impact if the picture is 0.5 cm too far to the left. The tool chosen to find a measurement is dependent on the degree of precision that is required for the task.

In most cases, the higher the degree of precision, the more expensive the measuring tool. If a high degree of precision is not needed, then spending the extra money for a precise tool is not necessary.

Each of the three tape measures below is marked with a different scale and has a different degree of precision. Since the precision is not stated on each ruler, it is determined by the smallest increment on the scale of the measuring ruler.

Tape Measure #1 has 1 cm increments or divisions.


Tape Measure #2 has 0.5 cm increments.


Tape Measure #3 has 0.1 cm increments.


Tape Measure #1 is the least precise, as it has the largest increments. Tape Measure #3 is the most precise, as it shows the smallest increments.

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