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Figure 1.7 shows the result of unacceptable error in the stopping position of a train. (a) If a train travels 890 \(\mathrm{km}\) from Berlinto Paris and then overshoots the end of the track by \(10 \mathrm{m},\) what is the percent error in the total distance covered? (b) Is it correct to write the total distance covered by the train as \(890,010 \mathrm{m} ?\) Explain.

Short Answer

Expert verified
(a) The percent error is approximately 0.00112%. (b) Yes, 890,010 m is correct, but adds unnecessary precision for most contexts.

Step by step solution

01

Convert Distances to the Same Units

First, convert the initial distance traveled from Berlin to Paris from kilometers to meters. We know that 1 kilometer equals 1000 meters. Thus, the distance of 890 kilometers is equivalent to \( 890 \times 1000 = 890,000 \) meters. The overshoot distance is already given in meters (10 meters).
02

Calculate Total Distance Traveled

Add the overshoot distance to the original travel distance in meters to get the total distance covered by the train. Thus, the total distance is \( 890,000 + 10 = 890,010 \) meters.
03

Calculate the Percent Error

The percent error is calculated using the formula: \[ \text{Percent Error} = \left| \frac{\text{Measured Value} - \text{True Value}}{\text{True Value}} \right| \times 100\% \]Here, the measured value is 890,010 meters and the true value is 890,000 meters. Substituting these values, we have:\[ \text{Percent Error} = \left| \frac{890,010 - 890,000}{890,000} \right| \times 100\% = \frac{10}{890,000} \times 100\% \approx 0.00112\% \]
04

Analyze the Appropriateness of Distance Presentation

The total distance covered is indeed 890,010 meters; thus, it's not incorrect to represent it as such. However, specifying it as \( 890,010 \) meters emphasizes the precision by including the overshoot, whereas simply stating \( 890 \) km might align better with an approximation unless precise detail on overshoot is necessary.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Percent Error
Understanding percent error is crucial to evaluating how close a measured value is to an expected or true value. It's a way of expressing the accuracy of a measurement. The formula to calculate percent error is: \[\text{Percent Error} = \left| \frac{\text{Measured Value} - \text{True Value}}{\text{True Value}} \right| \times 100\% \]In the train exercise, calculating the percent error helps us understand the small deviation from the expected travel distance. A low percent error, such as 0.00112%, indicates the measurement was very close to the true value. This is particularly important in high-precision environments where even minute errors can have significant effects.
Distance Conversion
When discussing measurements, converting all distances to the same unit is essential. This ensures consistency and accuracy in calculations.
  • Convert larger distances to smaller units, like kilometers to meters, by multiplying by 1,000, as each kilometer equals 1,000 meters.
  • Keep smaller units the same for simplicity, such as meters.
In the train scenario, converting 890 kilometers to 890,000 meters allowed the comparison and addition of the overshoot distance in meters. This uniformity ensures clarity when calculating total travel distances or determining any errors.
Precision in Measurement
Precision involves describing the detail and exactness of a measurement. It tells us about the fineness of a measurement and its consistency.
  • In scientific measurements, precision is crucial; it helps indicate the reliability of the result and influences decision-making.
  • Greater precision means more decimal places or digits are used when describing numbers.
For the train distance, saying 890,010 meters is precise because it includes the overshoot. However, rounding it to 890 kilometers would imply less precision unless detailed accuracy is unnecessary. Whether to choose precision or rounding depends on the context and required accuracy for the scenario at hand.

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