Percent Uncertainty in Volume of Spherical Beach Ball

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the percent uncertainty in the volume of a spherical beach ball with a radius of 2.86 ± 0.08 m. The volume is calculated using the formula V = 4/3 π r^3, yielding values for the radius at its extremes. The calculated percent uncertainty is approximately 8.63%, but the textbook states it as 9%, which raises questions about rounding and significant figures. The importance of significant figures is emphasized, noting that the final answer should reflect the least number of significant digits from the given data. Overall, the conversation highlights the nuances of precision in scientific calculations.
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hi didnt know wether to put this in phyics or maths but I am studying for physics so ill put it here.

Q: What is the percent uncertainty in the volume of a spherical beach ball whos radius is r = 2.86 +or-0.08m?

A: V= 4/3 pie r^3

V = 4/3 pie(2.94)^3 = 106.4463
V = 4/3 pie(2.86)^3 = 97.9911

106.4463-97.9911 = 8.4552

8.4552/97.991 x 100 = 8.6285%

shouldnt 8.6285% be the answer? the book has 9% which i understand could be rounded but considering I am doing the scientific notation chapter and it talks about how important it is to be clear with your answer.

i also tried the equation using only 3 significant numbers but i turned out further away from the answer getting something like 8.1%.

have i done something wrong in my calculations? this question really is simple but i can't think of any other way.

thanks
 
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You might want to watch out for significative figures.What about the 2.78 \mbox{cm} value...?

And it's "pi" and it has no taste,it's a greek letter.

Daniel.
 
yeh i tried it as well i get:

v=4/3 pi (2.78)^3 = 90.0
v=4/3 pi (2.94)^3 = 106
v=4/3 pi (2.86)^3 = 98.0

and i get lost here?

are my significant figures right?
 
You need to use the extra digits to do the calculation, just as you have done, but then your final answer needs to match the least number of significant digits given in the problem; in this case, +or- 0.08m has only one significant digit. Therefore, the answer 8.6285 gets rounded to 9%.
 
i need help on this problem also. Is there a method in solving this
 
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