What is the approximate uncertainty in r for the given formula V=\pi r^{2} h?

[voygehr]

Homework Statement

V=\pi r^{2} h

The uncertainties in V and h are shown below
V 7%
h 3%

The approximate uncertainty in r is:
A. 10% B. 5% C. 4% D. 2%

2. The attempt at a solution
According to the key the correct answer is B. This answer can be calculated by:
r^{2}=\frac{V}{\pi h}
which gives 3%+7% = 10% uncertainty
and subsequently
r=\sqrt{\frac{V}{\pi h}}
giving 10% * 1/2 = 5%

However:
if the value of 5% uncertainty for r is inserted in the original equation it all doesn't make sense:
V=\pi r^{2} h should then give an uncertainty for V of 3%+5%+5%=13%

Can anyone please explain this?

 

[rock.freak667]

I'd say the answer was 2%, but I can't really explain how your book got to that answer.

\frac{dV}{V}=2 \frac{dr}{r}+\frac{dh}{h}

 

[voygehr]

That was my first thought as well. But the key says no.

And as proved in my previous post, the 5% uncertainty does make sense, however if used in the original equation (or by simply reversing the second) it doesn't sum up.

 

[voygehr]

Bump. Any ideas?

 

[eczeno]

you must be clear about what is measured and what is calculated.

if you measure V and h and are wanting to calculate r, then 5% is the correct error. but then your check does not make sense because there you are assuming r and h are measured and V is calculated.

If the question asked what error in r (which is measured) would give rise to a 7% error in V (which is calculated) given a 3% error in h (which is measured), then the answer would be 2%.

hope this helps

 

[voygehr]

Yes, that makes sense. Thanks!