Question

Amanda measures the top of an 80 cm desk to be 82.4 cm. Dwayne measures the height of a 140 cm cabinet to be 137.2 cm. Which student has a greater percent error? Explain your reasoning.

Answer 1

Percent error is given by formula

`Percent \; Error = (Measured \; value)/(correct \; value) * 100 \%`

Error calculation for Amanda:

Accurate measurement value of the top of desk = 80 cm

Measured value by Amanda = 82.4

Error = 82.4-82 = 2.4

Now plug these values to find the percent error.

`Percent \; Error \; of \; Amanda = (2.4)/(80) * 100 \% = 0.03 * 100 \%= 3 \%`

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Error calculation for Dwayne:

Accurate measurement value of the cabinet = 137.2 cm

Measured value by Dwayne = 140

Error = 140-137.2= 2.8

Now plug these values to find the percent error.

`Percent \; Error \; of \; Dwayne= (2.8)/(140) * 100 \% = 0.02 * 100 \%= 2 \%`

3% is clearly more than 2%.

Hence final answer will be:

Amanda has greater percent error than Dwayne.