Uncertainty, Precision and Significant Figures in a Measurement · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Measuring with honest doubt

Science · Scientific Inquiry · ages 16-17
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. How should 24.638 cm with doubt 0.2 cm be quoted?

    • 24.6 cm plus or minus 0.2 cm
    • 24.638 cm plus or minus 0.2 cm
    • 25 cm plus or minus 0.2 cm

  2. A bunch sits tight yet far from truth. What fits?

    • Right yet loose
    • Tight yet wrong
    • True and tight

  3. More goes shrink scatter.

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. Five reads bunch high of truth. What cures it?

    • More reads
    • Tuning to a known mark
    • Louder calls

  5. A 20.0 cm read bears doubt of 0.2 cm. What is the share in percent?

    Answer: ______________

  6. Times and splits keep the fewest tallies.

    Circle one:   True   False

  7. A pupil calls a tight bunch true. What is wrong?

    • Truth hates bunches
    • Tight proves true
    • Tight proves repeat, not truth

  8. Sums join a 1% term and a 0.1% term. Where do you strike?

    • The 0.1% term
    • The 1% term
    • Both alike
LightMySky · lightmysky.comW1-mt_HPc3OahYoV-s1

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Measuring with honest doubt W1-mt_HPc3OahYoV-s1

  1. 24.6 cm plus or minus 0.2 cm · The mark rounds to the slot of the doubt.
  2. Tight yet wrong · Repeat bunching never proves nearness to truth.
  3. True · Means tame random spread, never slants.
  4. Tuning to a known mark · Slants live through means; fresh tuning kills them.
  5. 1 · 0.2 split by 20.0 is one in a hundred.
  6. True · Weakest tally count caps the end.
  7. Tight proves repeat, not truth · Ask for the slant apart from the spread.
  8. The 1% term · Chief doubt rules; shrink the big slice first.
Worksheet · LightMySky