Precision Problems: A group of students worked in separate teams to measure the length of an object.
Here are their data:
Team 1
2.65 cm
Team 2
2.75 cm
Team 3
2.80 cm
Team 4
2.77 cm
Team 5
2.60 cm
Team 6
2.65 cm
Team 7
2.68 cm
I
cm.
• The average length is
This is the mean or average.
cm.
• Subtract the highest value from the lowest value:
This is the range or spread.
• Divide this number by 2:
cm.
This is the approximate range from the average.
• The precision of the measurement can be shown as average range.
The precision of the measurement was
cm.
Demystifying Scientific Data: RET 2006, Rev 2
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