Error and Uncertainty (Continued)

a2 b3
65. A physical quantity A is related to four observables A = . The percentage errors are 1%, 3%, 2%, and 2% respectively. What is the
c d
​

percentage error in A?
Key Concept: For a quantity expressed as products and powers, the maximum relative error is the sum of the fractional errors of each term multiplied
by their respective powers.
Step-by-Step Solution:

ΔA Δa Δb Δc 1 Δd
% = 2( %) + 3 ( %) + 1 ( %) + ( %)
A a b c 2 d
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

1
= 2(1%) + 3(3%) + 1(2%) + (2%)
2
​

= 2% + 9% + 2% + 1% = 14%

Final Answer: (4) 14%

66. The length and breadth of a field are measured as l = (120 ± 2) m and b = (100 ± 5) m. What is the area of the field?
Step-by-Step Solution:

Mean Area (A): A = l × b = 120 × 100 = 12000 m2 = 1.2 × 104 m2 .

Error Calculation: ΔA
A ​ = Δl
l ​ + Δb
b ​ = 2
120 ​ + 5
100 ​ = 1
60 ​ + 1
20 ​ = 4
60 ​ = 1
15 .
​

1 1
Absolute Error (ΔA): ΔA =A× 15 ​ = 12000 × 15 ​ = 800 m2 = 0.08 × 104 m2 .
Final Area representation = (1.2 ± 0.08) × 104 m2 .
Final Answer: (1) (1.2 ± 0.08) × 104 m2
67. If X = A × B and ΔX, ΔA, ΔB are maximum absolute errors, the maximum relative error in X is given by:
Key Concept: In multiplication, the relative (fractional) errors of the individual quantities are added to find the maximum relative error of the product.

Final Answer: (4) ΔX

X = ΔA
A + B
​
ΔB
​ ​

A
68. X = B​. The maximum fractional error in X is given by:
Key Concept: Whether multiplying or dividing, the maximum fractional error is always the sum of the individual fractional errors to account for the
worst-case boundary.

Final Answer: (4) ΔX

X ​ = ΔA
A ​ + ΔB
B ​

69. A physical quantity is represented by X = M a Lb T c . If percentage errors are α, β, γ respectively, the total percentage error is:
Step-by-Step Solution:

% Error = a(% error in M ) + b(% error in L) + c(% error in T )

= aα + bβ + cγ

Final Answer: (2) (αa + βb + γc)

70. Given: Potential difference V = (8 ± 0.5) V and current I = (2 ± 0.2) A. The value of resistance R in Ω is:
Step-by-Step Solution:
V 8
Mean Resistance: R = I ​ = 2 ​ = 4Ω.
Percentage Error: ΔR
R ​ %= ΔV
V ​ %+ ΔI
I ​ %

0.5 0.2
=( × 100) % + ( × 100) % = 6.25% + 10% = 16.25%
8 2
​ ​

Final Answer: (1) 4 ± 16.25%

71. Resistance R1 = (8 ± 0.4)Ω and R2 = (8 ± 0.6)Ω. What is the net resistance in series?
​ ​

Key Concept: When quantities are added, their absolute errors are simply added.
Step-by-Step Solution:

Rseries = R1 + R2 = 8 + 8 = 16Ω
​ ​ ​

ΔRseries = ΔR1 + ΔR2 = 0.4 + 0.6 = 1.0Ω

​ ​

Final Answer: (3) (16 ± 1.0)Ω

72. For a cubical block, error in side is 1% and error in mass is 2%. Maximum possible error in density is:
Step-by-Step Solution:
Mass M
Density ρ = Volume ​ = L3 ​
 % Error = %ΔM + 3(%ΔL) = 2% + 3(1%) = 5%
Final Answer: (2) 5%
73. To estimate 'g ' (from g = 4π 2 TL2 ), error in L is ±2% and error in T is ±3%. The error in estimated 'g ' will be:
​

Step-by-Step Solution:
Δg ΔL
g %
​ = L ​ % + 2 ( ΔT
T %) = 2% + 2(3%) = 8%
​

Final Answer: (1) ±8%

xy 2
74. t = z 3 . If percentage errors in x, y, z are 1%, 3%, 2% respectively, percentage error in t is:
​

Step-by-Step Solution:

%Δt = %Δx + 2(%Δy) + 3(%Δz)

= 1% + 2(3%) + 3(2%) = 1% + 6% + 6% = 13%
Final Answer: (4) 13%
75. External dia D = (4.23 ± 0.01) cm, internal dia d = (3.89 ± 0.01) cm. Thickness of wall is:
Key Concept: Thickness t = D−d2 . ​

Step-by-Step Solution:

Mean Thickness = 4.23−3.89

2 ​ = 0.34
2 ​ = 0.17 cm.
Error in (D − d) is ΔD + Δd = 0.01 + 0.01 = 0.02 cm.
0.02
Since thickness is (D − d) divided by an exact constant (2), its absolute error is also divided by 2: Δt = 2 ​ = 0.01 cm.
Final Answer: (3) (0.17 ± 0.01) cm
76. Pressure = Force/Area. Error in force = 4%, error in length = 2%. Maximum error in pressure?
Step-by-Step Solution:
F
P = L2
​

%ΔP = %ΔF + 2(%ΔL) = 4% + 2(2%) = 8%

Final Answer: 8%
77. Resistance R = VI , V = 100 ± 5 V, I ​ = 10 ± 0.2 A. Total percentage error?
Step-by-Step Solution:
5
%ΔV = 100
​ × 100 = 5%
0.2
%ΔI = 10
​
× 100 = 2%
Total Error = 5% + 2% = 7%
Final Answer: 7%
78. Length, breadth, thickness are (10.0 ± 0.1) cm, (1.00 ± 0.01) cm, (0.100 ± 0.001) cm. Volume percentage error?
Step-by-Step Solution:

V = l × b × t.
0.1 0.01 0.001
%ΔV = 10.0
​
× 100 + 1.00
​
× 100 + 0.100
​
× 100 = 1% + 1% + 1% = 3%
Final Answer: 3%
79. Wire mass (0.3 ± 0.003) g, radius (0.5 ± 0.005) mm, length (6 ± 0.06) cm. Max percentage error in density?
Step-by-Step Solution:
m
Density ρ = πr2 L . ​

0.003
%Δρ = 0.3
​ × 100 + 2 ( 0.005
0.5
× 100) + ​
0.06
6
​ × 100 = 1% + 2(1%) + 1% = 4%
Final Answer: 4%
80. T = 2π L/g . L = 20.0 cm (1 mm accuracy), 100 osc = 90 s (1 s resolution). If accuracy in g is n%, find 20n.
​

Step-by-Step Solution:

Rearranging: g = 4π 2 TL2 . ​

Error in Length: ΔL
L % ​ = 0.1 cm
20.0 cm ​ × 100 = 0.5%.
ΔT Δt 1 10
Error in Time: Time for 100 osc t = 90 s, Δt = 1 s. T ​ %= t ​ %= 90 ​ × 100 = 9 %.
​

Total Error n = 0.5% + 2 ( 10

9
%) ​ = 1
2
​ + 20
9
​ = 49
18
​%.
49 490
Calculate 20n = 20 × 18
​
= 9
​
= 54.44 ≈ 54.
Final Answer: 54.44
81. L = 100 cm (2 mm accuracy), T = 2 s via 500 osc using 1 s resolution. Accuracy in g ?
Step-by-Step Solution:
0.2 cm
%ΔL = 100 cm
​ × 100 = 0.2%.
1
Total time t = 500 × 2 = 1000 s. Δt = 1 s. %ΔT = 1000
​
× 100 = 0.1%.
%Δg = 0.2% + 2(0.1%) = 0.4%.
Final Answer: 0.4%
82. L = 100 cm (1 mm accuracy), T = 2 s, 100 osc time with 0.1 s least count. Percentage error in g?
Step-by-Step Solution:
 0.1 cm
%ΔL = 100 cm ​ × 100 = 0.1%.
0.1
Total time t = 100 × 2 = 200 s. Δt = 0.1 s. %ΔT = 200 ​ × 100 = 0.05%.
%Δg = 0.1% + 2(0.05%) = 0.2%.
Final Answer: 0.2%

Significant Figures
83. a = 0.92, b = 0.08. Significant figures in a + b, a − b, a × b, a/b:
Step-by-Step Solution:

a + b = 0.92 + 0.08 = 1.00. (Addition rule: matches least decimal places, i.e., 2). This gives 3 sig figs.
a − b = 0.92 − 0.08 = 0.84. (Matches 2 decimal places). Gives 2 sig figs.
a × b = 0.92 × 0.08 = 0.0736 → 0.07. (Multiplication rule: matches least sig figs, which is 1 from 0.08). Gives 1 sig fig.
a/b = 0.92/0.08 = 11.5 → 10. (Division rule: matches least sig figs, which is 1). Gives 1 sig fig.
Final Answer: (3) 3, 2, 1, 1
84. Number of significant figures in 0.310 × 103 ?
Key Concept: In scientific notation, look only at the coefficient. Trailing zeros after a decimal point are significant.
Final Answer: (2) 3
85. Sum of 436.32, 227.2, and 0.301 with appropriate significant figures:
Step-by-Step Solution:

Sum = 436.32 + 227.2 + 0.301 = 663.821.

The number with the least decimal places is 227.2 (1 decimal place). Round to 1 decimal place: 663.8.
Final Answer: (3) 663.8
86. Mass = 4.237 g, Volume = 2.5 cm3 . Density?
Step-by-Step Solution:

Density = 4.237
2.5 ​ = 1.6948 g cm−3 .
Volume has only 2 significant figures, so the result must be rounded to 2 significant figures → 1.7 g cm−3 .
Final Answer: (3) 1.7 g cm−3
87. Numbers 2.745 and 2.735 rounded to 3 significant figures:
Key Concept: When dropping a '5', check the preceding digit. If even, leave it. If odd, round up.
Step-by-Step Solution:

2.745 → '4' is even, so it stays 2.74.

2.735 → '3' is odd, so it rounds up to 2.74.

Final Answer: (4) 2.74 and 2.74
88. Length = 16.2 cm, Breadth = 10.1 cm. Area and error?
Step-by-Step Solution:

A = 16.2 × 10.1 = 163.62 cm2 . Both inputs have 3 sig figs, so round Area to 3 sig figs → 164 cm2 .
0.1 0.1
Error ΔA = 164 × ( 16.2 + ​

10.1 )
​ = 164 × (0.00617 + 0.0099) = 164 × 0.016 ≈ 2.6 → 3.
2
Final Answer: (1) 164 ± 3 cm
89. Decimal equivalent of 1/20 up to three significant figures:
Step-by-Step Solution: 1/20 = 0.05. To make it 3 significant figures, we must add two trailing zeros.
Final Answer: (1) 0.0500
90. Accuracy and significant figures concepts:
Step-by-Step Analysis:
(1) 50.14 cm (4 sig figs) vs 0.00025 A (2 sig figs). 50.14 has more sig figs, hence greater accuracy. (True)

(2) 478 km + 0.397 km = 478.397 km. Rounding to match the zero decimal places of 478 gives 478 km. (True)
Final Answer: (3) Both are correct
91. L = 2.331 cm, B = 2.1 cm. L + B ?
Step-by-Step Solution: 2.331 + 2.1 = 4.431. Round to 1 decimal place (matching 2.1).
Final Answer: (3) 4.4 cm
92. Volume of block l = 12 cm, b = 6 cm, t = 2.45 cm:
Step-by-Step Solution: V = 12 × 6 × 2.45 = 176.4. The least number of significant figures in the inputs is 1 (for the number 6). Rounding 176.4 to
one significant figure gives 200, or 2 × 102 .

Final Answer: (2) 2 × 102 cm3

93. Number of significant digits in 0.001001:
Key Concept: Leading zeros are placeholders; trapped zeros count.
Final Answer: 4
94. Number of significant figures in 0.06900:
Key Concept: Leading zeros don't count; trailing zeros after a decimal count.
Final Answer: 4

Vernier Calipers and Screw Gauge

95. Screw gauge (LC = 0.001 cm). MSR = 5 mm, CSR = 25. Zero error = -0.004 cm.
Step-by-Step Solution:
 MSR = 5 mm = 0.5 cm.
Reading = MSR + (CSR × LC) − Zero Error
= 0.5 cm + (25 × 0.001 cm) − (−0.004 cm)
= 0.5 + 0.025 + 0.004 = 0.529 cm.
Final Answer: (1) 0.529 cm
96. Screw gauge pitch 1 mm, 100 div. MSR = 1 mm, CSR = 47. Length = 5.6 cm. Surface area?
Step-by-Step Solution:
1
LC = 100 ​ = 0.01 mm.
Diameter D = 1 mm + 47 × 0.01 mm = 1.47 mm = 0.147 cm.
Area = π × D × L = π × 0.147 × 5.6 = 2.586 cm2 .
Round to match 2 significant figures from the length: 2.6 cm2 .
Final Answer: (1) 2.6
97. 2 turns = 1 mm. 50 divisions. Zero error = -0.03 mm. MSR = 3 mm, CSR = 35.
Step-by-Step Solution:
1 mm
Pitch = 2 ​ = 0.5 mm.
0.5
LC = 50
​ = 0.01 mm.
Diameter = 3 mm + (35 × 0.01 mm) − (−0.03 mm) = 3 + 0.35 + 0.03 = 3.38 mm.
Final Answer: (4) 3.38 mm
98. Vernier (9 MSD = 10 VSD), 1 MSD = 1 mm. MSR = 10 mm, VSR = 1. Mass = 2.736 g. Density?
Step-by-Step Solution:

LC = 1 MSD − 1 VSD = 1 mm − 0.9 mm = 0.1 mm = 0.01 cm.

Edge length a = 10 mm + (1 × 0.1 mm) = 10.1 mm = 1.01 cm.
Volume V = (1.01)3 = 1.0303 cm3 .
Density ρ = 2.736
1.0303 ​ = 2.6555 g/cm3 . Round to 3 sig figs (from edge length) → 2.66 g/cm3 .
3
Final Answer: (1) 2.66 g/cm
99. Error in Young's Modulus calculation:
Step-by-Step Solution:
1 mm
LC = 100 ​ = 0.01 mm = 0.001 cm.
Diameter D = 1 mm + 25(0.01) mm = 1.25 mm = 0.125 cm. Error ΔD = 0.001 cm.
4F L
Y = πD2 Δl . ​

ΔL Δ(Δl)
% Error in Y = L ​ % + 2 ΔD
D %+ ​

Δl ​ %
= ( 0.01
100 ​ × 100) + 2 ( 0.001
0.125 ​ × 100) + ( 0.001
0.125 ​ × 100) = 0.01% + 1.6% + 0.8% = 2.41%.
Equating to the given expression: 8n
10 ​ = 2.41 ⟹ n = 24.1
8 ​ ≈ 3.
Final Answer: 3
100. 20 VSD = 19 MSD. LC = 0.1 mm. Main scale division size?
Step-by-Step Solution:
19
1 VSD = 20 ​ MSD.
19 1
LC = 1 MSD − 1 VSD = 1 MSD − 20 MSD = 20 ​ MSD.
1
Given LC = 0.1 mm ⟹ 20
​ MSD = 0.1 mm ⟹ 1 MSD = 2.0 mm.
Final Answer: 2 mm
102. 5 rotations = 1.5 mm, 50 divisions. LC = x × 10y mm. (x + y)?
Step-by-Step Solution:
1.5
Pitch = 5 ​ = 0.3 mm.
Pitch 0.3
LC = divisions ​ = 50 ​ = 0.006 mm = 6 × 10−3 mm.
Thus, x = 6, y = −3. So x + y = 3.
Final Answer: 3