38

Chapter 1 Approximation and Errors

Exercise 1A (P.11) (b) 　130 472

= 130 000, cor. to 3 sig. fig.
1. (a) 707 has 3 significant figures.
(c) 　130 472
(b) 0.10 has 2 significant figures. = 130 500, cor. to 4 sig. fig.

(c) 0.084 has 2 significant figures.

7. (a) 　0.810 48
(d) 0.107 0 has 4 significant figures. = 0.81, cor. to 2 sig. fig.

(b) 　0.810 48
2. (a) 123 000 (correct to the nearest integer) has = 0.810, cor. to 3 sig. fig.
6 significant figures.
(c) 　0.810 48
(b) 123 000 (correct to the nearest ten) has 5 = 0.810 5, cor. to 4 sig. fig.
significant figures.
8. (a) 　0.659 745
(c) 123 000 (correct to the nearest thousand) = 0.66, cor. to 2 sig. fig.
has 3 significant figures.
(b) 　0.659 745
= 0.660, cor. to 3 sig. fig.
3. (a) 　328
= 300, cor. to 1 sig. fig. (c) 　0.659 745
= 0.659 7 , cor. to 4 sig. fig.
(b) 　-14.99
= -10 , cor. to 1 sig. fig.
9. (a) 　-21.570
= -22 , cor. to 2 sig. fig.
4. (a) 　5 076
= 5 100, cor. to 2 sig. fig. (b) 　-21.570
= -21.6 , cor. to 3 sig. fig.
(b) 　7.009 3
= 7.0, cor. to 2 sig. fig. (c) 　-21.570
= -21.57 , cor. to 4 sig. fig.
5. (a) 　30 637
= 31 000, cor. to 2 sig. fig. 10. (a) 　-108.463
= -110 , cor. to 2 sig. fig.
(b) 　30 637
= 30 600, cor. to 3 sig. fig. (b) 　-108.463
= -108 , cor. to 3 sig. fig.
(c) 　30 637
= 30 640, cor. to 4 sig. fig. (c) 　-108.463
= -108.5 , cor. to 4 sig. fig.
6. (a) 　130 472
= 130 000, cor. to 2 sig. fig.

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 Approximation and Errors 39

11. (a) 　4 505 g 15. (a) 　 31

= 5 000 g, cor. to 1 sig. fig.
= 0.333, cor. to 3 sig. fig.
(b) 　23.657 h
7
= 23.7 h , cor. to 3 sig. fig. (b) 　12 8

= 12.9 , cor. to 3 sig. fig.

(c) 　123.09 kg
= 123.1 kg, cor. to 4 sig. fig. 17
(c) 　- 1 200
(d) 　14.637 5 m
3
= -0.014 2 , cor. to 3 sig. fig.
3
= 14.638 m , cor. to 5 sig. fig.
1
16. (a) 　59 - 59
12. (a) 　-273.15cC
= -270c C , cor. to 2 sig. fig. 58
= 58 59

(b) 　-273.15cC = 59.0, cor. to 3 sig. fig.

= -273c C , cor. to 3 sig. fig.
1
(b) 　59 - 59

13. Weight of male pandas 58

= 58 59
= 115 kg
= 100 kg, cor. to 1 sig. fig. = 58.983, cor. to 5 sig. fig.

Weight of female pandas

= (115 - 15) kg 17. (a) 431.8 = 430, cor. to 2 sig. fig.
= 100 kg 69.52 = 70, cor. to 2 sig. fig.
= 100 kg, cor. to 1 sig. fig. ` 　431.8 + 69.52
. 430 + 70
= 500
14. (a) 654.11 = 650, cor. to 2 sig. fig.
79.46 = 79, cor. to 2 sig. fig. (b) 201.05 = 200, cor. to 2 sig. fig.
` 654.11 + 79.46 . 650 + 79 30.08 = 30, cor. to 2 sig. fig.
= 729 ` 　201.05 - 30.08
. 200 - 30
(b) 587.44 = 590, cor. to 2 sig. fig.
= 170
39.85 = 40, cor. to 2 sig. fig.
` 587.44 - 39.85 . 590 - 40 (c) 196 = 200, cor. to 1 sig. fig.
= 550 4.03 = 4, cor. to 1 sig. fig.
` 　196 # 4.03
(c) 411 = 400, cor. to 1 sig. fig.
. 200 # 4
2.37 = 2, cor. to 1 sig. fig.
= 800
` 411 # 2.37 . 400 # 2
= 800 (d) 891.15 = 900, cor. to 1 sig. fig.
(d) 196.03 = 200, cor. to 1 sig. fig. 9.64 = 10, cor. to 1 sig. fig.
11.92 = 10, cor. to 1 sig. fig. ` 　891.15 ' 9.64
` 196.03 ' 11.92 . 200 ' 10 . 900 ' 10
= 20 = 90

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 40 Chapter 1

(e) 32.56 = 30, cor. to 1 sig. fig. 22. (a) (i) 　148 900 000 km2
0.789 = 0.8, cor. to 1 sig. fig. = 150 000 000 km2, cor. to 2 sig. fig.
10.27 = 10, cor. to 1 sig. fig. 　6 721 million
` 　32.56 # 0.789 - 10.27 = 6 700 million, cor. to 2 sig. fig.
. 30 # 0.8 - 10
Average number of people on each
= 24 - 10
km2 of land
= 14
6 700 000 000
. 150 000 000
18. 　3 minutes 59 seconds = 45, cor. to 2 sig. fig.
= a 3 + 60 k minutes
59
(ii) Area of land on average that each
= 3.98 minutes, cor. to 3 sig. fig.
person in the world can occupy
150 000 000 2
. 6 700 000 000 km
19. 　3 hours 35 minutes

= a 3 + 60 k hours
35 150 000 000
= 6 700 000 000 # 1 000 #
　1 000 m
2
= 3.6 hours, cor. to 2 sig. fig.
2
= 22 000 m , cor. to 2 sig. fig.
20. (a) 　365 days 6 hours 14 minutes 24 seconds
(b) The following reasons are for reference
= a 365 + 24 + 60 14 k
6
# 24
+ 60 # 24
60 # 24
only. Students may have other reasonable
answers.
a 365 + 6 + 14 + 24 k days (i) A lot of land still has not been
24 60 # 24 60 # 60 # 24
= 365.3 days, cor. to 4 sig. fig. developed or it is not suitable for
mankind to live, and a lot of land is
(b) 　365 days 6 hours 14 minutes 24 seconds developed for non-residential purpose.
= a 365 # 24 + 6 + 14
60
+ 3 24
600
k hours (ii) Actually, it is not necessary for a
= 8 770 hours, cor. to 3 sig. fig. person to occupy an area as large as
2
22 000 m . That is why the average
21. 40.8 cm = 40 cm, cor. to 1 sig. fig. residential area built for each person
52.7 cm = 50 cm, cor. to 1 sig. fig. 2
is much less than 22 000 m .
39.8 cm = 40 cm, cor. to 1 sig. fig.
Capacity of the aquarium
. 40 # 50 # 40 cm3 Exercise 1B (P.27)
= 80 000 cm3
80 000 1. (a) Reading on the thermometer
= 1 000 L = 20c C , cor. to the nearest 10cC
= 80 L
(b) Reading on the thermometer
= 21c C , cor. to the nearest 1cC

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 Approximation and Errors 41

2. (a) Length of the pencil (b) The possible range of its actual height
= 11 cm , cor. to the nearest cm (denoted by x m):
(955 - 2.5) m G x m 1 (955 + 2.5) m
(b) Length of the pencil i.e. 952.5 m G x m 1 957.5 m
= 11.0 cm , cor. to the nearest 0.5 cm Therefore, the possible range of its actual
height is between 952.5 m and 957.5 m.
3. (a) Capacity of the liquid
= 90 mL, cor. to the nearest 10 mL
7. (a) The stop watch can measure time correct
(b) Capacity of the liquid to the nearest 0.2 seconds.
= 95 mL, cor. to the nearest 5 mL
(b) Maximum error
(c) Capacity of the liquid
= 21 # 0.2 s
= 93 mL, cor. to the nearest mL
= 0.1 s
4. (a) Error in Jacky’s measurement The possible range of the actual finishing
= (21.6 - 21) cm time (denoted by x s):
= 0.6 cm (11.2 - 0.1) s G x s 1 (11.2 + 0.1) s
i.e. 11.1 s G x s 1 11.3 s
(b) Error in Joan’s measurement Therefore, the possible range of the actual
= (21.6 - 21.5) cm
finishing time is between 11.1 s and 11.3 s.
= 0.1 cm
1
Joan’s measurement is more accurate as it 8. Maximum error = 2 # 1 m

has a smaller error. = 0.5 m

0.5 m
` Relative error = 508 m
5. (a) 　21 563 m
= 22 000 m, cor. to 2 sig. fig. 1
= 1 016
Error = (22 000 - 21 563) m
= 437 m
1
9. Maximum error = 2 # 5 mL
(b) 　21 563 m
= 2.5 mL
= 21 600 m, cor. to 3 sig. fig.
2.5 mL
` Relative error = 800 mL
Error = (21 600 - 21 563) m
= 37 m 1
= 320
The approximate value in (b) is more
accurate as it has a smaller error. 1
10. Maximum error = 2 # 1 g

= 0.5 g
6. (a) a Measured value is correct to the
` Percentage error
nearest 5 m.
0.5 g
= 59 g # 100%
` Maximum error = 21 # 5 m
= 0.85%, cor. to 2 sig. fig.
= 2.5 m

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 42 Chapter 1

11. a The difference between two smallest 14. (a) Maximum error = 21 # 1 cm = 0.5 cm
successive markings on the stop watch
= 0.2 s Minimum possible length of the wire
= (4 - 0.5) cm
` Maximum error = 21 # 0.2 s = 3.5 cm
= 0.1 s
(b) (i) Maximum error = 21 # 0.2 m
` Percentage error
= 0.1 m
0.1 s
= 24 s # 100%
Maximum possible length of the wire
= 0.4%, cor. to the nearest 0.1% = (1.0 + 0.1) m
= 1.1 m
12. Let x mm be the maximum error of each piece = 110 cm
of paper. a 110 cm 1 111 cm
Maximum error of 500 pieces of paper ` The actual length of the wire
= 500x mm
cannot exceed 111 cm, as the
500x 1
` 48
= 240
maximum possible length of the
x = 0.000 4
wire is 110 cm.
The possible range of the thickness of each
(ii) From the result in (a), if the length of
piece of paper (denoted by y mm):
each part is 4 cm, correct to the
a 48 - 0.000 4 k mm G y mm 1 a 48 + 0.000 4 k mm nearest cm, the minimum possible
500 500
i.e. 0.095 6 mm G y mm 1 0.096 4 mm length of the wire is 3.5 cm.
Therefore, the possible range of the thickness of 　32 # 3.5 cm
= 112 cm
each piece of paper is between 0.095 6 mm and
a 112 cm 2 110 cm
0.096 4 mm. ` This wire cannot be divided into
32 equal parts so that the length
13. (a) Maximum error of each measurement
of each part is 4 cm, correct to
= 21 # 1 cm the nearest cm.
= 0.5 cm
1
15. Maximum error = 0.1 # 2 cm = 0.05 cm
(b) Minimum possible area of this metallic
plate
Measured Maximum Minimum
= [(4 - 0.5) # (3 - 0.5) + (15 - 0.5) #
value (cm) value (cm) value (cm)
(12 - 0.5)] cm2
2
= 175.5 cm PQ 2.6 2.65 2.55

(c) Maximum possible area of this metallic QR 1.7 1.75 1.65

plate
RS 4.1 4.15 4.05
= [(4 + 0.5) # (3 + 0.5) + (15 + 0.5) #
(12 + 0.5)] cm2 Using measured values, the area of the trapezium
= 209.5 cm2 = [(2.6 + 4.1) # 1.7 ' 2] cm
2

The possible range of x is = 5.695 cm2

175.5 G x 1 209.5.

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 Approximation and Errors 43

Using the maximum values, the maximum area Perimeter calculated from measured value -
of the trapezium minimum perimeter
= [(2.65 + 4.15) # 1.75 ' 2] cm2 = (16.0 - 15.8) cm
= 5.95 cm2 = 0.2 cm
` The accumulated error is 0.2 cm.
Maximum area - area calculated from measured
values (b) Using measured value, the area of the
= (5.95 - 5.695) cm2 square
= 0.255 cm2 = 4.0 # 4.0 cm2
Using the minimum values, the minimum area of = 16.0 cm2
the trapezium Using the maximum value, the maximum
= [(2.55 + 4.05) # 1.65 ' 2] cm2 area of the square
= 5.445 cm2 = 4.05 # 4.05 cm2
Area calculated from measured values - = 16.402 5 cm2
minimum area Maximum area - area calculated from
= (5.695 - 5.445) cm2 measured value
= 0.25 cm2 = (16.402 5 - 16.0) cm2
a 0.255 2 0.25 = 0.402 5 cm2
` The accumulated error is 0.255 cm2.
Using the minimum value, the minimum
area of the square
16. (a) Maximum error = 21 # 1 mm
= 3.95 # 3.95 cm2
= 0.5 mm = 15.602 5 cm2
= 0.05 cm
Area calculated from measured value -
Measured value of the length = 4.0 cm minimum area
Maximum value of the length = 4.05 cm = (16.0 - 15.602 5) cm2
Minimum value of the length = 3.95 cm = 0.397 5 cm2
a 0.402 5 2 0.397 5
Using measured value, the perimeter of the
` The accumulated error is 0.402 5 cm2.
square
= 4.0 # 4 cm
= 16.0 cm 17. (a) The reading on the thermometer is 32cC.

Using the maximum value, the maximum (b) The difference between two smallest
perimeter of the square successive markings on the thermometer
= 4.05 # 4 cm = 1cC
= 16.2 cm Maximum error = 21 # 1cC
Maximum perimeter - perimeter calculated = 0.5cC
from measured value (c) Percentage error
= (16.2 - 16.0) cm 0.5cC
= # 100%
= 0.2 cm 32cC
= 1.6%, cor. to the nearest 0.1%
Using the minimum value, the minimum
perimeter of the square
= 3.95 # 4 cm
= 15.8 cm

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 44 Chapter 1

18. (a) (i) Measured length of AB Checkpoint (P.31)

= 4 cm, cor. to the nearest cm
Absolute error = (4 - 3.548) cm Oscar:
= 0.452 cm 1. ✓
0.452 cm 113
(ii) Relative error = 3.548 cm = 887 2. ✗ 6 993 = 7 000, cor. to 2 sig. fig.

(iii) Percentage error 3. ✓

113
= 887 # 100%
Flora:
= 12.7%, cor. to 3 sig. fig. 1. ✗ No matter how precise the measuring tools
are, the result obtained in measurement is
(b) (i) Measured length of AB
only an approximate value but not an exact
= 35 mm, cor. to the nearest mm
value.
= 3.5 cm

Absolute error = (3.548 - 3.5) cm 2. ✗ Possible range of the actual value (x):
= 0.048 cm measured value - maximum error
Gx
0.048 cm 12
(ii) Relative error = 3.548 cm = 887 1 measured value + maximum error

(iii) Percentage error 3. ✗ Absolute error

12 = the difference between the exact value
= 887 # 100%
and the measured value
= 1.35%, cor. to 3 sig. fig.
` The absolute error of a measurement
may not be small if the exact value is
19. Let xcC be the maximum error, then
small.
x
percentage error = 20 # 100%
Cleo:
x
` 20
# 100% = 5% 1. ✗ Maximum error = 21 # 1 mm

i.e. x=1 = 0.5 mm

` The range of the actual temperature is
(-20 ! 1)cC, i.e. the upper limit is -19cC.
20. Let x m/s be the maximum error, then
x
percentage error = 600 # 100%
= 0.05 cm
` The range of the actual length is
(15 ! 0.05) cm, i.e. it lies between
14.95 cm and 15.05 cm.
2. ✗ The lower limit of (640 ! 5) g is 635 g.

x
` 600 # 100% = 0.5% 3. ✓

i.e. x=3
4. ✓
` The range of the actual speed of the bullet
is (600 ! 3) m/s, i.e. the lower limit is
597 m/s and the upper limit is 603 m/s.

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 Approximation and Errors 45

Supplementary Exercise 1 (P.32) (c) 30.18 = 30, cor. to 2 sig. fig.

7.04 = 7.0, cor. to 2 sig. fig.
1. (a) -1.008 0 has 5 significant figures. 403.4 = 400, cor. to 2 sig. fig.
` 　30.18 # 7.04 - 403.4
(b) 49 060 (correct to the nearest ten) has 4 . 30 # 7.0 - 400
significant figures. = -190

(c) -10 000 (correct to the nearest integer) has (d) 9.97 = 10, cor. to 2 sig. fig.

5 significant figures. 8.02 = 8.0, cor. to 2 sig. fig.

` 　9.973 # 8.02
(d) -960 (correct to the nearest ten) has 2 . 103 # 8.0
= 8 000
significant figures.
(e) 9.96 = 10, cor. to 2 sig. fig.
2. (a) -168.9 = -170 , cor. to 2 sig. fig. 20.15 = 20, cor. to 2 sig. fig.
` 　 9.962 + 20.152
(b) 　-0.430 09
. 102 + 202
= -0.430 , cor. to 3 sig. fig.
= 500
(c) 　68 984 kg
(f) 549 = 550, cor. to 2 sig. fig.
= 68 980 kg, cor. to 4 sig. fig.
17.5 = 18, cor. to 2 sig. fig.
(d) 　2 054 781 m
2 89.61 = 90, cor. to 2 sig. fig.
2
= 2 054 800 m , cor. to 5 sig. fig. ` 　 549 # 17.5 ' 89.61
. 550 # 18 ' 90
= 110
3. (a) r = 3, cor. to 1 sig. fig.

(b) r = 3.1, cor. to 2 sig. fig. 5. (a) Error in Margaret’s measurement

= (14.5 - 14.48) cm
(c) r = 3.142, cor. to 4 sig. fig. = 0.02 cm

(d) r = 3.141 59, cor. to 6 sig. fig. (b) Error in Kelvin’s measurement
= (14.48 - 14.4) cm
4. (a) 628 = 630, cor. to 2 sig. fig. = 0.08 cm
462 = 460, cor. to 2 sig. fig. Margaret’s measurement is more accurate
746 = 750, cor. to 2 sig. fig.
as it has a smaller error.
` 　628 + 462 - 746
. 630 + 460 - 750
= 340 6. (a) a Distance between successive markings
= 0.2 s
(b) 50.41 = 50, cor. to 2 sig. fig.
` Maximum error of measured value
2.010 = 2.0, cor. to 2 sig. fig.
9.952 = 10, cor. to 2 sig. fig. = 21 # 0.2 s
` 　50.41 # 2.010 ' 9.952
= 0.1 s
. 50 # 2.0 ' 10
= 10

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 46 Chapter 1

(b) a Distance between successive markings 10. (a) Actual value of the expression
= 0.25 L = (1 098.1 + 149.79) # 800.19
= 998 549.099 1
` Maximum error of measured value
Estimation by Kamen:
= 21 # 0.25 L 1 098.1 = 1 100, cor. to the nearest hundred
= 0.125 L 149.79 = 100, cor. to the nearest hundred
800.19 = 800, cor. to the nearest hundred
(c) a Distance between successive markings
Estimated value of Kamen
= 5 km/h
= (1 100 + 100) # 800
` Maximum error of measured value = 960 000

= 21 # 5 km/h ` Absolute error of the estimated value

of Kamen
= 2.5 km/h
= 998 549.099 1 - 960 000
= 38 549.099 1
1
7. Maximum error = 2 # 0.1 cm
Estimated by Sandy:
= 0.05 cm 1 098.1 = 1 100, cor. to 3 sig. fig.
0.05 cm 149.79 = 150, cor. to 3 sig. fig.
` Relative error = 4.0 cm
800.19 = 800, cor. to 3 sig. fig.
1
= 80
Estimated value of Sandy
= (1 100 + 150) # 800
8. (a) Measured length = 1 000 000
= 11.0 cm , cor. to the nearest 0.5 cm
` Absolute error of the estimated value
(b) Maximum error = 21 # 0.5 cm = 0.25 cm of Sandy
= 1 000 000 - 998 549.099 1
` Percentage error = 1 450.900 9
0.25 cm
= 11.0 cm # 100% a 38 549.099 1 2 1 450.900 9
` Sandy’s estimate is more accurate.
= 2.27%, cor. to 3 sig. fig.
(b) Kamen’s estimate can be done in a quicker
9. (a) The weight of the parcel is 7.2 kg.
way as the approximate values of Kamen
(b) The difference between two smallest are more simple.
successive markings on the mechanical
scale = 0.2 kg 11. (a) (i) Charley is talking about absolute error.
` Maximum error = 21 # 0.2 kg (ii) Percentage error
= 0.1 kg 0.5 s
= # 100%
24 # 60 # 60 s
(c) The possible range of the actual weight = 0.000 58%, cor. to 2 sig. fig.
(denoted by x kg) of the parcel:
(b) a 0.1% 2 0.000 58%
(7.2 - 0.1) kg G x kg 1 (7.2 + 0.1) kg
` Charley’s watch is more accurate.
i.e. 7.1 kg G x kg 1 7.3 kg
Therefore, the possible range of the actual
weight is between 7.1 kg and 7.3 kg.

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 Approximation and Errors 47

12. (a) (i) Maximum error of the thickness of a i.e. Percentage error
piece of paper 1 percentage error in (a)(iii) ......... (**)

= 21 # 1 # 500
1
mm ` From the results in (*) and (**), if more

= 0.001 mm pieces of paper is measured, a smaller

error can be obtained, i.e. a more
(ii) Thickness of a piece of paper
accurate result of the thickness of a
58
= 500 mm
piece of paper can be found.
= 0.116 mm

(iii) Percentage error 13. (a) Estimated value of Elaine

0.001 mm
= 0.116 mm # 100% = a 6 # 3 + 21 # 6 # 3.14 k m

= 0.9%, cor. to the nearest 0.1% = 27.42 m

(b) Measure more pieces of paper, e.g. 1 000. (b) Estimated value of Charles

Suppose the thickness of a pile of x pieces = a 5.7 # 3 + 21 # 5.7 # 22

7
km
of paper is measured and the measured = 26.1 m , cor. to 1 d.p.
value is y mm, where x 2 500 and y 2 58.
The maximum error of the thickness of a (c) Actual perimeter

= a 5.82 # 3 + 21 # 5.82 # r k m
piece of paper

= 21 # 1 # 1x mm
= 26.60 m , cor. to 4 sig. fig.

= 21x mm Absolute error of the estimated value of

a x 2 500 Elaine
1 = (27.42 - 26.60) m
2x
mm 1 2 #1500 mm
= 0.82 m
= 0.001 mm
Absolute error of the estimated value of
i.e. Maximum error
Charles
1 maximum error in (a)(i) ............. (*)
= (26.60 - 26.1) m
The thickness of each piece of paper = 0.5 m
y a 0.82 m 2 0.5 m
= x mm
` Charles’ estimate is more accurate.
1
2x
Percentage error = # 100%
y 14. 　1 h 32 min 12 s
x
= (3 600 + 32 # 60 + 12) s
= 21y # 100%
= 5 532 s
a y 2 58
Maximum error = 21 # 1 s
1
` 2y
# 100% 1 2 #1 58 # 100%
= 0.5 s
1 ` Percentage error
= 116 # 100%
0.5 s
0.001 mm
= 0.116 mm # 100% = # 100%
5 532 s
= 0.01%, cor. to the nearest 0.01%

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 48 Chapter 1

1
15. Maximum error = 2 # 1 cm 16. (a) Maximum error = 21 # 1 000 m = 500 m

= 0.5 cm The possible range of the actual length

(denoted by x m):
Measured value (21 000 - 500) m G x m 1 (21 000 + 500) m
Minimum value Maximum value i.e. 20 500 m G x m 1 21 500 m
(cm), cor. to
(cm) (cm)
the nearest cm ` One possible actual length is
21 100 m. (or any other lengths
2 2 - 0.5 = 1.5 2 + 0.5 = 2.5
between 20 500 m and 21 500 m)
3 3 - 0.5 = 2.5 3 + 0.5 = 3.5
1
(b) Maximum error = 2 # 100 m = 50 m
4 4 - 0.5 = 3.5 4 + 0.5 = 4.5
The possible range of the actual length
(denoted by x m):
Using measured values, the volume of the (21 000 - 50) m G x m 1 (21 000 + 50) m
rectangular block i.e. 20 950 m G x m 1 21 050 m
= 2 # 3 # 4 cm3 ` One possible actual length is
= 24 cm3
21 010 m. (or any other lengths
Using the maximum values, the maximum
between 20 950 m and 21 050 m)
volume of the rectangular block
= 2.5 # 3.5 # 4.5 cm3 17. Let x m/s be the maximum error, then
= 39.375 cm3 x
percentage error = 2.3 # 100%
Maximum volume - volume calculated from x
` 2.3
# 100% = 2%
measured values
= (39.375 - 24) cm3 i.e. x = 0.046
= 15.375 cm3 ` The range of John’s actual walking speed
is (2.3 ! 0.046) m/s, i.e. it lies between
Using the minimum values, the minimum volume
2.254 m/s and 2.346 m/s.
of the rectangular block
` One possible actual walking speed is
= 1.5 # 2.5 # 3.5 cm3
= 13.125 cm3 2.26 m/s. (or any other speeds between

Volume calculated from measured values - 2.254 m/s and 2.346 m/s)
minimum volume
= (24 - 13.125) cm3 18. Let x km/s be the maximum error, then
= 10.875 cm3 x
relative error = 300 000
a 15.375 2 10.875
` The accumulated error is 15.375 cm3. `
x 1
= 1 200
300 000
i.e. x = 250
` The range of the actual speed of light is
(300 000 ! 250) km/s, i.e. the upper limit
is 300 250 km/s and the lower limit is
299 750 km/s.

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 Approximation and Errors 49

19. Maximum error ` 21 small squares can be divided along

= measured value # percentage error each side of the square.
25 i.e. Maximum possible number of small
= 26.4 # 33 % m
squares that will be formed
= 0.2 m = 21 # 21
The possible range of its actual height (denoted = 441
by x m):
(26.4 - 0.2) m G x m 1 (26.4 + 0.2) m
21. Actual average weight
i.e. 26.2 m G x m 1 26.6 m
83 + 91 + 92 + 87 + 93
Therefore, the possible range of its actual height = 5
kg

is between 26.2 m and 26.6 m. = 89.2 kg

90 - 89.2
Percentage error = 89.2
# 100%
20. (a) Maximum error = 21 # 0.1 m = 0.05 m
= 0.90%, cor. to 2 sig. fig.
Maximum value of the length of each side
of the square 1
22. Maximum error of the speed = 2 # 5 km/h
= (2 + 0.05) m
= 2.05 m = 2.5 km/h
` The range of the actual speed is
Using the maximum value, the maximum
(120 ! 2.5) km/h,
area of the square
i.e. the maximum speed is 122.5 km/h
= 2.05 # 2.05 m2
and the minimum speed is 117.5 km/h.
= 4.202 5 m2
` The actual area of the square cannot Maximum error of the time required

= 21 # 0.2 h
2
exceed 4.3 m .

= 0.1 h
(b) Maximum error of the measured value of
` The range of the actual time required is
the length of each side of each small
(3.0 ! 0.1) h,
square
i.e. the maximum time required is 3.1 h
= 21 # 1 cm and the minimum time required is 2.9 h.
= 0.5 cm The possible range of the actual distance
(denoted by x km) between the two cities:
Minimum value of the length of each side 117.5 # 2.9 km G x km 1 122.5 # 3.1 km
of each small square i.e. 340.75 km G x km 1 379.75 km
= (10 - 0.5) cm Therefore, the range of the actual distance
= 9.5 cm
between the two cities is between 340.75 km
Number of small squares that can be
and 379.75 km.
divided along each side of the square
2.05 m
= 9.5 cm 23. (a) 0.5 cm
2
205 cm
= 9.5 cm (b) 223 cm

= 21.6, cor. to 1 d.p. (c) 223 G x 1 270

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 50 Chapter 1

24. (a) 4.5 cm 1

2. Maximum error = 2 # 0.5 cm = 0.25 cm
(b) (i) no
Measured Maximum Minimum
(ii) no
value (cm) value (cm) value (cm)

3 3.25 2.75
Challenging Problems (P.37)
4 4.25 3.75
1
1. Maximum error = 2 # 0.1 cm = 0.05 cm
12 12.25 11.75
Lower limit of AB = (10.0 - 0.05) cm
= 9.95 cm 15 15.25 14.75

Upper limit of AB = (10.0 + 0.05) cm Using measured values, the area

= 10.05 cm = (4 # 3 + 15 # 12) cm2
Lower limit of CD = (16.0 - 0.05) cm = 192 cm2
= 15.95 cm Using the maximum values, the maximum area
Upper limit of CD = (16.0 + 0.05) cm = (4.25 # 3.25 + 15.25 # 12.25) cm2
= 16.05 cm = 200.625 cm2

Lower limit of h = (12.0 - 0.05) cm Maximum area - area calculated from measured
= 11.95 cm values
= (200.625 - 192) cm2
Upper limit of h = (12.0 + 0.05) cm
= 8.625 cm2
= 12.05 cm
Using the minimum values, the minimum area
Lower limit of the area of the trapezium
= (3.75 # 2.75 + 14.75 # 11.75) cm2
= 21 (9.95 + 15.95) # 11.95 cm2 = 183.625 cm2

= 154.752 5 cm2 Area calculated from measured values -

= 154.8 cm2, cor. to 4 sig. fig. minimum area
= (192 - 183.625) cm2
Upper limit of the area of the trapezium
= 8.375 cm2
= 21 (10.05 + 16.05) # 12.05 cm2 a 8.625 2 8.375
` The accumulated error is 8.625 cm2.
= 157.252 5 cm2
= 157.3 cm2, cor. to 4 sig. fig.
` The possible range of the area of the Flag Question (P.38)
2
trapezium is between 154.8 cm and
Let x Chinese feet be the height of the biao, then
157.3 cm2. 0.2
percentage error = 24.6x # 100%

0.2
` 24.6x
# 100% = 0.01%

i.e. x = 81, cor. to the nearest integer

` The height of the biao should be 81 Chinese feet.

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 Approximation and Errors 51

Revision Test (P.41) 8. A Maximum error of the measured height of

the door
1. D = measured value # relative error
= 2 # 0.1 m
2. A = 0.2 m
The possible range of the actual height
3. C A: 0.024 6has 3 significant figures.
(denoted by x m) of the door:
B: 0.246 0has 4 significant figures.
(2 - 0.2) m G x m 1 (2 + 0.2) m
C: 2.046 0has 5 significant figures.
i.e. 1.8 m G x m 1 2.2 m
D: 24 600 (correct to the nearest hundred)
Therefore, its actual height should lie
has 3 significant figures.
24 600 (correct to the nearest ten) has 4 between 1.8 m and 2.2 m.
significant figures.
24 600 (correct to the nearest one) has 5 9. B Maximum error = 21 # 10 mm = 5 mm
significant figures.
5 mm
` The answer is C. Percentage error = 40 mm # 100%

4. B 983.19 = 1 000, cor. to 1 sig. fig. = 12.5%

4.98 = 5, cor. to 1 sig. fig.
` 　 983.19 ' 4.89 10. C Maximum error = 21 # x g = 21 x g
. 1 000 ' 5 1
x
= 200 2
Percentage error = 150 # 100%
1
x
5. C ` 2
# 100% = 1 23 %
150

6. B Maximum error = 21 # 1 kg = 0.5 kg i.e. x=5

The possible range of Flora’s actual weight 11. C

(denoted by x kg):
(49 - 0.5) kg G x kg 1 (49 + 0.5) kg 12. C
i.e. 48.5 kg G x kg 1 49.5 kg
` The only suitable answer is 48.5 kg.

7. D Maximum error = 21 # 1 minutes

= 0.5 minutes

The possible range of the actual time

(denoted by x minutes) for cooking:
(3 - 0.5) minutes
G x minutes
1 (3 + 0.5) minutes
i.e. 2.5 minutes
G x minutes
1 3.5 minutes
` The actual time cannot exceed
3.5 minutes.

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