By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following: Determine the appropriate number of significant figures in both addition and subtraction, as well as multiplication and division calculations and Calculate the percent...

This interactive site helps students determine the appropriate number of significant figures in both addition and subtraction, as well as multiplication and division calculations. They also calculate the percent uncertainty of a...

A police forensics scientist discusses how precision will muddy the true accuracy of a crime scene. Interesting stuff. A new real world look at precision and accuracy.

This is a review lesson on the concept of precision vs. accuracy in the context of scientific measurement, intended to be used near the beginning of a Physics course. Young scholars practice measuring and reading scales accurately and...

Learn about the topics of accuracy, precision, and significant figures in this section of a physics textbook. Chapter can also be downloaded in pdf.

This maker of precision instruments presents this solid article on the topic of accuracy and precision. Great discussion of types and sources of error, and quality control.

This activity is an introduction to measurement, especially precision. Students should know the difference between precision and accuracy in measurement. They will be able to answer the questions: At what temperature does the mood object...

When we measure things, most people are only worried about how accurate, or how close to the actual value, they are. Looking at the process of measurement more carefully, you will see that there is another important consideration:...

This module looks at the history of measurement, beginning with non-standard units, the advent of standard units (in this case metric), and when approximation or precision would be needed.

Measurements are very important for scientists. It is especially important that the measurements be accurate. Think about how important accuracy is when you want to know if you are taller than a friend of yours, every inch counts. In...

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Students explore a science investigation learning module including conversions, error, and uncertainty in scientific measurement.

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Accuracy and precision of measurements.

This task examines, from a mathematical and statistical point of view, how scientists measure the age of organic materials by measuring the ratio of Carbon 14 to Carbon 12. The focus here is on the statistical nature of such dating....

This task requires students to make some sensible approximations of the amount of gas needed for a drive. They must choose a level of accuracy appropriate to limitations on measurement when reporting quantities. Aligns with N-Q.A.1 and...

As part of a larger site called "Getting started in Chemistry," this site examines various topics related to measurements and the error and uncertainty that accompanies the methods of measurements.

A serious paper by serious geographers, discussing at full length the problems caused by error, inaccuracy, and imprecision in Geographical Information Systems. The definitive word in the real world.

Accuracy of measurement in navigation depends very much on the situation. If a sailor's target is an island 200 km wide, sailing off center by 10 or 20 km is not a major problem. But, if the island were only 1 km wide, it would be missed...

Students learn about the concepts of accuracy and approximation as they pertain to robotics, gain insight into experimental accuracy, and learn how and when to estimate values that they measure. Students also explore sources of error...

The difference between accuracy and precision is explained, with a precautionary note about being aware of possible bias in the measuring instrument.

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Describes accuracy and precision.

This site provides a list of physics problems and exercises including Physical Quantities and Units, Accuracy, Precision, and Significant Figures, and Approximation.

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] This learning opportunity examines two angles of working with error. Students will practice taking measurements with accuracy and precision and then consider the...

Students learn about catapults, including the science and math concepts behind them, as they prepare for the associated activity in which they design, build and test their own catapults. They learn about force, accuracy, precision and...

The purpose of this task is to illustrate through an absurd example the fact that in real life quantities are reported to a certain level of accuracy, and it does not make sense to treat them as having greater accuracy. Aligns with N-Q.A.3.