Percentage error
Since measurements are approximate there is always error in the measurement
results, Ameasurement error is the difference between the exact value (V,)
and the approximate value (V,), ie
Measurement error = V,—V,,
Percentage error x 100%, where V, isthe approximate value
and V,, is the exact value.
Accuracy.
Avalue is accurate ifit is close to the exact value of the quantity being meas-
ured, However, in most cases it is not possible to obtain the exact value of a
measurement. For example, when measuring your weight, you can get a more
accurate measurementif you use a balance scale that measures to a greater
number of decimal places.
If we take a measurement of a quantity and obtain the reading, x then the actual value of the quantity
x will lie in an interval
The left and the right ends of an interval in which an exact value of ameasurement
lies are respectively called the lower bound and the upper bound,
The lower bound and the upper bound are half a unit below and above a
rounded value of a measurement. Thus the upper bound is calculated as
the rounded measurement + 0.5 unit, and the lower bound is found as the
rounded measurement — 0.5 unit.Question thee
Tao's weights 68g tot Ie to pyran ower bounds of ere
Hhe smallest oaik is \ke Lower bovad ’s Ge-0S
\22 20.5 ‘ 5 = 6a.S ka
opp, Boon) 8 TES tg cas 2 Set, 0, a*=b & log, b=a2
‘The logarithm in base 10 of a positive number is the power that 10 must be raised to
in order to obtain that number.
For any b>0, 10° =b logyb=2For example:
‘* The logarithm in base 10 of 1000 is 3,
since 1000 = 108. assume it means base 10.
We write logyq 1000= 3 or simply (sees
Jog 1000 = 3.
‘* Jog(0.01) = -2 since 0.01 = 10-2,
By observing that log 1000 = log(10®) =3 and log(0.01) = log(10~?) = -2, we conclude
tag = eany 26
eo TTT‘The logarithms in Example 8 can be found by hand because it is easy to write 100 and 0.1 as powers
‘of 10, The logarithms of most values, however, can only be found using a calculator.
For example, log 34 ~ 1.53
so 34~= 108%
Logarithms allow us to write any number as fice
a power of 10. In particular:
Gore CDECIaCToThe natural logai
in order to obtain that number.
The natural logarithm is represented as log, «, or more commonly as. In.
hm of a positive number is the power that ¢ must be raised to
For all c>0: Ine* =a and el? =
Gann Ee
Find:
1 In
In(e) n(S ezins
4 decimal places:
Use your calculator to write the following in the form e* where k is correct to
50 0.005
50 0.005
= 22 (p= olny in0.005,
fw 39120 pe eB 2088
Casio fx-CG50 TI-84 Plus CE
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