The discussion revolves around the interpretation of a measurement expressed as 2.0 cm -/+ 0.05 cm. Participants explore the meaning of the notation, its implications for uncertainty in measurements, and how to correctly interpret the range of values it represents.
Participants do not reach a consensus on the interpretation of the measurement. Multiple competing views remain regarding the correct range and the implications of the uncertainty expressed by the +/- notation.
Some participants express uncertainty about the statistical interpretation of the measurement, and there is a lack of agreement on the correct numerical range derived from the given measurement.
Quarlep said:Hi I saw something in Wikipedia and I am confused. I saw something like this
2.0 cm -/+ 0.05 cm Whats that mean?
My first opinion Between 1,5 and 2,5
My second opinion 1,5 cm or 2,5 cm
Quarlep said:Hi I saw something in Wikipedia and I am confused. I saw something like this
2.0 cm -/+ 0.05 cm Whats that mean?
My first opinion Between 1,5 and 2,5
My second opinion 1,5 cm or 2,5 cm
Quarlep said:Hi I saw something in Wikipedia and I am confused. I saw something like this
2.0 cm -/+ 0.05 cm Whats that mean?
My first opinion Between 1,5 and 2,5
My second opinion 1,5 cm or 2,5 cm
As Nugatory points out, the error portion is ##\pm## 0.05. Also, the units involved are centimeters, not kilometersSeydlitz said:It means the error is between the value written after -/+, so for example 1.0 km -/+ 0.5 km. That means we are not certain that the measurement is 1.0 km as given by whatever instruments we have. The real value can range between 1.5 km and 0.5 km.
Quarlep, the measurement is between 1.95 cm and 2.05 cm.Nugatory said:Your first thought ("between") is right, but have you dropped a decimal place in there? ##2.0{\pm}0.05## means between 1.95 and 2.05, not 1.5 and 2.5