Finding the maximum/absolute error in calculating the density of a metal sample.

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nerdy_hottie
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Homework Statement



"You are measuring the density of a metal sample. You have determined that the mass of the sample is 63.8 grams, and your error in this result is plus or minus 0.1 g. The volume of the sample is 8.8 +/- 0.1 cm^3. What is the maximum error (in g/cm^3) in your measurement of the sample density? "

Homework Equations


density=mass/volume
For z = x/y:
δz/z = δx/x + δy/y


The Attempt at a Solution


Well, filling into the equation for δz/z and substituting this for δρ/ρ and solving for δρ:
δρ=ρ(δm/m + δv/v)
=(63.8g/8.8cm^3)(0.1g/63.8g + 0.1cm^3/8.8cm^3)
=(7.25g/cm^3)(0.01293)
=0.0937g/cm^3


However, it says this answer is incorrect.
Any hints on where I am going wrong?
 
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Maybe it should be done in this way:
[tex]\rho_{max}=\frac{m+\Delta m}{V-\Delta V}\\<br /> \rho_{min}=\frac{m-\Delta m}{V+\Delta V}\\<br /> \Delta\rho=max\left(\rho-\rho_{min},\rho_{max}-\rho\right)[/tex]
 
Last edited:
I'm not quite sure I understand that last equation..
 
ok thanks for the clarification but that still doesn't produce the correct answer. Thanks for your help though.