Final answer:
Relative dating involves comparing the position of fossils in rock layers to determine their age, while absolute dating provides a precise numerical age for fossils using techniques like radiometric dating.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are two main techniques used for fossil dating: relative dating and absolute dating. Relative dating involves determining the age of fossils by comparing their position in rock layers. It relies on the principle of superposition, which states that the lower the layer, the older the fossils it contains. The advantage of relative dating is that it provides a general idea of the fossil's age. However, it does not provide an exact age and can be subjective.
Absolute dating is another technique that provides an actual numerical age for fossils. Radiometric dating is a commonly used method in absolute dating. It measures the decay of radioactive elements in the fossils or rocks surrounding them. The advantage of absolute dating is that it provides a precise age for the fossils. However, it requires specialized equipment and can be expensive.