Answer: Calculating Relative & Absolute Uncertainty of R^-2

[gcsm]

Absolute Uncertanity

Homework Statement

A distance R is measured to be 4.000±0.002 m
What is the absolute uncertainty in R to the power of negative two?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

4^-2 = 0.00625
0.002^-2 = 250000

Im stuck at this question I have no idea where to go, any help would be appreciated!

 

[Thaakisfox]

umm you already gave the absolute uncertainty, it is 0,002m...

 

[gcsm]

but I tried that, meaning 0.002 and that's not it, I also tried 250000 (using SI) and that isn't correct either...not really sure where to go...

 

[Thaakisfox]

Are you looking for the absolute or relative uncertainty? as in the thread title you say relative, but then in the problem description you say absolute.

The absolute is 0.002m that is 100%, then most probably you are looking for the relative uncertainty.
That is divide the absolute by the average.

 

[gcsm]

sorry for the confusion, the question is as follows:
What is the absolute uncertainty in R to the power of negative two?

but wouldn't you have to do something to the +-0.002m?