Question

use your understanding of percent error to answer the questions below. be sure to show your work.

1. students in the science lab are measuring the mass of an object on a triple beam balance. the object has a mass of 38 grams. complete the table below with the absolute and percent error for each student’s measurement. round your answer to the nearest tenths place.

student	measurement	absolute error	percent error
iris	34 grams
hb	41 grams

a. order the students based on the most accurate measurement to the least accurate measurement.

Explanation:

Step1: Define true value

True mass $m_t = 38$ grams

Step2: Calculate Danielle's errors

Absolute error: $|40 - 38| = 2.0$ grams
Percent error: $\frac{2}{38} \times 100 \approx 5.3\%$

Step3: Calculate Iris's errors

Absolute error: $|34 - 38| = 4.0$ grams
Percent error: $\frac{4}{38} \times 100 \approx 10.5\%$

Step4: Calculate HB's errors

Absolute error: $|41 - 38| = 3.0$ grams
Percent error: $\frac{3}{38} \times 100 \approx 7.9\%$

Step5: Rank by accuracy

Lower percent error = more accurate. Order: Danielle < HB < Iris

Completed Table:

STUDENT	MEASUREMENT	ABSOLUTE ERROR	PERCENT ERROR
Iris	34 grams	4.0 grams	10.5%
HB	41 grams	3.0 grams	7.9%

Answer:

a. Most accurate to least accurate: Danielle, HB, Iris