THE PRACTICE STUDIO
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PRACTICE / Error propagation
Which uncertainty rule applies?
A resistor is measured with V = 8.0 V ± 0.24 V and I = 0.50 A ± 0.01 A. The ± values are worst-case bounds, and R = V/I.
Find the approximate worst-case fractional uncertainty in R.
Organize the givens & assumptions
- V = 8.0 V; absolute bound 0.24 V
- I = 0.50 A; absolute bound 0.01 A
- R = V/I
Small relative bounds; neglect second-order terms. These are bounds, not standard deviations.
- A
- B
- C
- D
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