Final answer:
The precision of a measuring tool is related to the size of its measurement increments. A measurement with a greater number of significant figures indicates greater reproducibility and precision. However, accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the correct value.
Step-by-step explanation:
The precision of a measuring tool is related to the size of its measurement increments. The smaller the measurement increment, the more precise the tool. This means that a measurement taken with a more precise measuring tool will have a larger number of significant figures, indicating greater reproducibility and precision. However, it's important to note that a measurement with a greater number of significant figures is not necessarily more accurate than a measurement with fewer significant figures. Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the correct value, while precision refers to the consistency and reproducibility of a measurement.
In the example given, a measured value of 1.5422 m obtained using a more precise measuring tool has more significant figures and is therefore more precise. However, the value of 1.2 m obtained using a less precise tool is closer to the actual value of 1.19 m, making it more accurate.