Question

A Frisbee has a diameter which measures 10.2 inches. Consider the greatest possible error allowed for the measurement and calculate the minimum circumference of the Frisbee to the nearest tenth.

Answer 1

In the dimension of the frisbee given to be 10.2 inches in diameter, there are three significant figures. All, from 1, 0 and 2. Since these values are all significant, the last digit determines the greatest possible error allowed that is only in the tenths digit. The circumference of the frisbee is calculated through the equation,
C = πD
Substituting,
C = π(10.2 in) ≈ 32.0 in

Answer 2

31.9 inches.

Explanation:

A Frisbee has a diameter which measures 10.2 inches.

The greatest possible error is 0.05 because the measurement was made to the nearest tenth.

So, the diameter is =
`10.2-0.05 = 10.15`

radius =
`(10.15)/(2)` = 5.075

Circumference is given as:
`2\pi r`

=
`2*3.14*5.075`

= 31.87 rounding to nearest tenth as 31.9 inches.

The minimum circumference of the Frisbee to the nearest tenth is 31.9 inches.