Guess Teacher's Mass: 6.43, 60, 64.3, 600, 643 kg

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves determining the most likely mass recorded by a teacher, given that the measurement is accurate to better than 1/2 percent. Participants are discussing the implications of measurement accuracy and how it relates to the provided options.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are exploring the concept of implied accuracy in measurements and questioning how to calculate the error associated with each mass option. There is a focus on understanding what "better than 1/2 percent" means in practical terms.

Discussion Status

Some participants have suggested that the options 60 kg and 64.3 kg are the most likely candidates based on the accuracy criteria. There is ongoing exploration of how to derive the error for each mass option, with references to external resources for further clarification.

Contextual Notes

Participants are considering the implications of measurement accuracy and how it affects the interpretation of the mass values provided. The discussion is framed around the constraints of the problem statement regarding accuracy.

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Homework Statement


A teacher measures and records her own mass to an accuracy of better than 1/2 percent. Which of the following is most likely the mass that she recorded?
(A)6.43 kg
(B)60 kg
(C)64.3 kg
(D)600 kg
(E)643 kg



The Attempt at a Solution



i know that answer is either B or C ( quite obvious :D )
but i can't understand how to use the term "to an accuracy of better than 1/2 percent"

.5% of 60 is .3

but what now?
 
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Numbers have implied accuracy. 64.3 implies measurement accuracy of +/- 0.1 kg unless otherwise stated. 60 kg implies 60 +/- 1 kg. Which one conforms to the stated "within 1/2 a percent" accuracy?
 
64.3 kg?

but how do you come up with error in each given mass?
 
cupid.callin said:
64.3 kg?

but how do you come up with error in each given mass?

Have a look here:

http://www.chem1.com/acad/webtext/pre/mm3.html

Skim down to "Implied Uncertainty".
 
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