Question

Greta is mailing a care package to her little sister at college. After packing the box, she weighs it on her bathroom scale to estimate the mailing cost. The scale shows the package weighing 3 pounds. At the post office, the clerk weighs the package on a more precise scale, and it weighs 3.25 pounds. What is the percent error for Greta's scale's measurement?

Answer 1

Answer: 7.7%

Explanation:

So the answer is 7.7

To find the percent error, start by listing the key information from the problem.

Greta's scale shows the package weighing 3 pounds.

The scale at the post office shows the package weighing 3.25 pounds.

First, find the amount of error. It is the difference between 3.25 and 3, which is 0.25.

Now, use the formula to find the percent error.

percent error =

amount of error

correct amount = 0.25

3.25

= 0.0769…

You can rewrite this as a percent rounded to the tenths place, 7.7%. So, the percent error for Greta's scale measurement is about 7.7