How to Calculate Absolute Error Correctly?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating absolute error for measurements with specified tolerances. For the first case, 0.0342 m with a tolerance of ±5%, the absolute error is calculated as 0.0342 m * 0.05 = 0.00171 m, which rounds to 0.002 m, not 2 m. For the second case, 0.0342 m with a tolerance of ±0.5%, the absolute error is calculated as 0.0342 m * 0.005 = 0.000171 m, which also rounds to 0.0002 m, not 2 m. The calculations presented in the discussion were incorrect, and the correct rounding should reflect the precision of the original measurement.

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JessicaJ283782
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calculate the absolute error of
a) 0.0342 m +- 5%
b) 0.0342 m +- 0.5%


Did I do these correctly?

a) 0.342*.05=1.71 so round it to 2 m

b) .0342*.005=1.71 (there was a 10^something after these numbers on the calculator) so round it up to 2 meters again

Did I do those correctly?
 
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Next time to use the HW template, so the post is well-organized.

For your answers to the problem, yes they are right.
 

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