3. Measurement Accuracy
Text Box: Measurements are approximate. Although smaller units give better approximations, you can never have a perfectly accurate measure. In addition to size of the units, the numerical part of the measurement can have a bearing on the implied accuracy as well. For example, if one reads 42 inches versus 3.5 feet, one might imagine that the measurement in decimal form is more accurate, but this would be incorrect. This argument highlights a good reason for using inches as well as a feet and yards, and even teaspoons! It is important to note that there is one exception to the accuracy rule: one can be exact when counting objects. For example, we can know for sure that there are exactly 10 people in a room, or 3 eggs in a bowl.

Big Ideas in Measurement

Math Specialist Certificate Program
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