Uncertainty-what is the rate with 0.59% precision?

[Outrageous]

Uncertainty--what is the rate with 0.59% precision??

Homework Statement

Assume that negligible uncertainty in timing of a clock, calculate the number of counts required to measure a rate with 0.50% precision.

Homework Equations

The least accuracy is 0.50%?

The Attempt at a Solution

No idea what the question ask about...please guide.thanks

 

[mfb]

A rate of what? Radioactive decays, or some other random source?

The rate of another clock can be determined with arbitrary precision after the second count, so I doubt that this is the answer.

 

[Outrageous]

What is the count ? Second of the clock?


Here is the exact question
Assuming negligible uncertainty in timing a clock, calculate the number of counts required to measure a rate of 0.5% precision. Now your clock has a random uncertainty of 0.2%, then how many counts are required to measure a rate with 0.50% precision?

 

[mfb]

In which context does the question appear?
Did you get similar problem statements before?

 

[Outrageous]

In which context does the question appear?
Did you get similar problem statements before?

The paper is teaching how to calculate uncertainty when we are doing experiment. It is a paper to introduce experimental method.
I never do this before.

 

[mfb]

The paper is teaching how to calculate uncertainty when we are doing experiment.

Sure, but what type of experiment?
Is that paper accessible somewhere?

 

[Outrageous]

Sure, but what type of experiment?
Is that paper accessible somewhere?

That is just a general introduction for first year student. That is past year exam paper. Our past year used to have some problems.
Thanks anyway.