Final answer:
The relative geologic time scale is concerned with the sequence and comparative ages of events in Earth's history, not their exact numerical ages, so the original statement is false.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the relative geologic time scale represents the numerical ages—usually expressed in millions of years—of events in Earth history is false. The relative geologic time scale is concerned with the sequence of events and their comparative ages rather than their exact numerical ages. The geologic time scale divides Earth's history into eons, eras, periods, and other divisions based on significant geological, climatic, and biological events.
Geologists use relative dating to establish a sequence of events, such as determining that one rock layer is older than another. For numerical ages, they resort to absolute dating methods, such as radiometric dating, which can give an exact age in years. When referring to the relative geologic time scale, it is essential to understand that this method does not assign specific numerical ages to rock layers or events. Instead, it organizes the history based on their relative timings, like which event happened before or after another.