Lesson 15: Error Intervals

Let’s solve more problems about percent error.

15.1: A Lot of Iron Ore

An industrial scale is guaranteed by the manufacturer to have a percent error of no more than 1%. What is a possible reading on the scale if you put 500 kilograms of iron ore on it?

15.2: Saw Mill

  1. A saw mill cuts boards that are 16 ft long. After they are cut, the boards are inspected and rejected if the length has a percent error of 1.5% or more. 

    1. List some board lengths that should be accepted.
    2. List some board lengths that should be rejected.
  2. The saw mill also cuts boards that are 10, 12, and 14 feet long. An inspector rejects a board that was 2.3 in too long. What was the intended length of the board?

15.3: Info Gap: Quality Control

Your teacher will give you either a problem card or a data card. Do not show or read your card to your partner.

If your teacher gives you the problem card:

  1. Silently read your card and think about what information you need to answer the question.
  2. Ask your partner for the specific information that you need.
  3. Explain how you are using the information to solve the problem.
  4. Solve the problem and explain your reasoning to your partner.

If your teacher gives you the data card:

  1. Silently read the information on your card.
  2. Ask your partner “What specific information do you need?” and wait for them to ask for information. Only give them information that is on your card. (Do not figure out anything for them!)
  3. Before telling them the information, ask “Why do you need that information?”
  4. After your partner solves the problem, ask them to explain their reasoning and listen to their explanation.
Pause here so your teacher can review your work. Ask your teacher for a new set of cards and repeat the activity, trading roles with your partner.

Summary

Percent error is often used to express a range of possible values. For example, if a box of cereal is guaranteed to have 750 grams of cereal, with a margin of error of less than 5%, what are possible values for the actual number of grams of cereal in the box? The error could be as large as $(0.05) \boldcdot 750 = 37.5$ and could be either above or below than the correct amount.

Therefore, the box can have anywhere between 712.5 and 787.5 grams of cereal in it, but it should not have 700 grams or 800 grams, because both of those are more than 37.5 grams away from 750 grams.

Practice Problems ▶