An object was measured by a worker as 17.400 cm long, however, the manufacturer
specifications list the length of the object
at 17.900 cm. What is the percent error in
the worker's measurement?
a. 2.79% or b. 2.87%

2.79 % error

Explanation:

Percent Error = 100 x [(Actual - Measured) / Actual]

Percent Error = 100 x [(17.900 - 14.700) / 17.900]

Percent Error = 100 x [0.5 / 17.900]

Percent Error = 100 x 0.02793

Percent Error = 2.7932 % or 2.79 %

the answer is b because, investigating whether another species of moth also drinks tears might be interesting, but it would not directly explain why this species of moth does.

to explain why this species of moth drinks tears, the scientist could ask: "what nutrients that moths need are in elephant tears? "

the scientist could experiment with moth repellent or oter ways to keep the moths away, but that would not answer his original question.