How do scale accuracy and measurement uncertainty combine when adding mass?

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Homework Statement


A person stands on a scale and it read 60 kg. The accuracy of the scale is 0.5 kg. Then he picked a 0.2 kg apple. The mass of a person and the apple will be between _____ and _____


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


I DON'T WANT THE ANSWER, I WANT THE EXPLANATION
 

Discussion

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post the solution i want to chek something
 
Well if the scale reads 60kg+0.2kg from the apple you get 60.2kg on the scale right? The accuracy (tolerance) is 0.5kg, which is +-0.5kg. So the weight will be between...It's kinda tricky question, but that's what I think.
 
Here are the choices:
a) between 74.5 kg and 75.5 kg
b) between 74.7 kg and 75.2 kg
c) between 74.5 kg and 74.7 kg
d) between 74.2 kg and 75 kg
e) between 75 kg and 76 kg


the pro: the answer is (a), but anyone can tell me why ?
 
UNknown 2010 said:
Here are the choices:
a) between 74.5 kg and 75.5 kg
b) between 74.7 kg and 75.2 kg
c) between 74.5 kg and 74.7 kg
d) between 74.2 kg and 75 kg
e) between 75 kg and 76 kg


the pro: the answer is (a), but anyone can tell me why ?

What? A 60 kg person picked up an apple and weighs 74.5 kg all of a sudden? That makes no sense.
 
yup that makes no sense for me
 
Oh, sorry !
the mass of the person is 75 kg.
 
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