Chapter 1 Section 4 Math & Science
Chapter 1 Section 4 Math & Science
S 8.9.b Evaluate the accuracy and How Many Marbles Are There?
reproducibility of data. 1. Your teacher will give you a jar full
of marbles.
What math skills do scientists use
in collecting data and making 2. With a partner, come up with a way to
measurements? determine the number of marbles in the
jar without actually counting all of them.
Key Terms 3. Use your method to determine the
• estimate number of marbles. Write down your
• accuracy answer.
• reproducibility 4. Compare the method you used to that of
• significant figures another group.
• precision Think It Over
Predicting Which method do you think led to a more
accurate answer? Why?
What are some tools that scientists use? You might think of
microscopes, thermometers, and calculators. There are also sci
entific tools that you won't find on a lab bench. Curiosity, skep
ticism, creativity-these are attitudes that serve as useful tools
in scientific inquiry. Knowledge is another important tool. One
form of knowledge that is particularly useful in the study of sci
ence is mathematics. Mathematics is essential for asking and
answering questions about the material world.
Estimation
Have you ever been on stage and wondered how many people
there were in the audience? Maybe you counted the number of
people in one row and multiplied by the number of rows. This
would be one way to arrive at an estimate. An estimate is an
approximation of a number based on reasonable assumptions.
Estimating is not the same as guessing because an estimate is
nline based on known information.
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Scientists must sometimes rely on estimates when they
cannot obtain exact numbers. Astronomers, for example, can't
For: Links on math and science actually measure the distance between stars. An astronomer's
Visit: www.SciLinks.org
Web Code: scn-1622
estimate might be based on indirect measurements, calcula
tions, and models.
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Accuracy and Reproducibility
Suppose you were to meet a friend at 4:00 P.M. Your friend
arrives at 4: 15 and says, "But it's 4:00 according to all the
clocks in my house." The problem is that your friend's
clocks do not show the accurate, or correct, time.
Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true
or actual value. An accurate clock would read 4:00 P.M.
Your friend's clocks may be working properly, but because
they are set 15 minutes late, they are always inaccurate.
FIGURE 17
Accuracy and Reproducibility
In a game of darts, it's easy to see the difference
between accurate throws and reproducible
throws. In order to hit the bull's-eye consistently,
you need both accuracy and reproducibility! _. Both Reproducible and Accurate
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I am certain of the "5" but
am estimating the "3."
Therefore, my measurement
can be expressed to only
two significant figures, 5.3 cm.
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32 +
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' The length "2.25 rn" has
three significant figures,
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while the width "3 rn" has one.
Therefore, my answer can have
only one significant figure.
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Chapter 1 + 33