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Practicalities of
13 measurement
LEARNING SEQUENCE

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13.1 Overview ....................................................................................................................................................................2
13.2 Units of measurement .......................................................................................................................................... 3
13.3 Areas of composite figures .............................................................................................................................. 10

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13.4 Surface areas of pyramids and irregular solids ....................................................................................... 18
13.5 Limits of accuracy ............................................................................................................................................... 25

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13.6 Scientific notation and significant figures .................................................................................................. 32
13.7 Review ..................................................................................................................................................................... 39

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13.1 Overview
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13.1.1 Introduction

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We use measurement every day, often without even realising that we’re doing so. For example, if you estimate
the time that it’ll take you to wash the dishes in the evening, that’s a measure of time, and if you count the

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number of steps you take to walk to the corner shop, that’s a measure of distance.
Understanding measurement allows us to understand the world around us, from the size of bacteria to the time it

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would take us to travel to the stars in the night sky. Think about how often you use measures every day!

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KEY CONCEPTS
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This topic covers the following key concepts from the VCE Mathematics Study Design:
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• measurements and related quantities including derived quantities, metric and relevant non-metric
measures
• conventions, properties and measurement of perimeter, area, surface area and volume of compound
shapes and objects
• calibration and error in measurement, including tolerance, accuracy and precision.

Source: VCE Mathematics Study Design (2023–2027) extracts © VCAA; reproduced by permission.

2 Jacaranda Maths Quest 12 Foundation Mathematics VCE Units 3 & 4 First Edition
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13.2 Units of measurement

LEARNING INTENTION
At the end of this subtopic you should be able to:
• record measurements using correct units
• convert between different metric units
• add like-sized measurements.

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13.2.1 Units of measurement
eles-xxxx

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Units of length are used to describe:
• the dimensions of an object, such as its length, width and height 1 span

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• the distance between two points.
1 digit
In the past, people used body part sizes as reference units to measure

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length, as shown.
The standard unit of length in the metric system is the metre.

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Metric units of length

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The most common metric units of length are the millimetre (mm), centimetre (cm), metre (m) and
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kilometre (km).

10 millimetres = 1 centimetre
100 centimetres = 1 metre
1000 metres = 1 kilometre
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Millimetre (mm) Centimetre (cm) Metre (m) Kilometre (km)

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1 mm
1m
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1 cm

1 km
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While a linear or curved distance can be measured

using mm, cm, m or km, other units of measurement
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are required to measure liquid, weight and time.

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In our modern society, we have standard

measurements for volume (liquid, space, etc.), mass
(weight) and time.
In the metric system, the standard unit of volume is
the litre and the standard unit of weight is the gram.

TOPIC 13 Practicalities of measurement 3

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Metric volume measurements Metric weight measurements Universal time measurements

Millilitres (mL) Milligrams (mg) Seconds (s)
Litres (L) Grams (g) Minutes (min)
Kilograms (kg) Hours (h)
Tonnes (t) Days
Weeks
Months
Years
Decades

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Centuries
Millennia

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13.2.2 Making measurements

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eles-xxxx
When measuring lengths, it is important to choose units that suit the

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situation. A suitable unit may be determined by:
• the visual length of the measurement
• the context in which the measurement is to be used; for example,

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builders, carpenters and plumbers work in millimetres and metres.

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A variety of tools can be used to help measure length.
• A ruler can be used to measure short objects.
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• A tape measure can be used to measure longer objects or distances.
• A car’s odometer can record long measurements, such as the distance
between two towns.
• A picture with a scale, such as a map or a microscope drawing, can be used
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to measure very large or very small lengths.

When using a ruler or a tape measure to measure length, it is important to ensure
that the zero line of the scale markings is always placed at the start of the length
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being measured. Odometer

When measuring a curved line, some useful tools are a piece of string, a trundle
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wheel or the edge of a piece of paper, slowly rotated around the line.
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WORKED EXAMPLE 1 Recording measurements using correct units

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State the measurement marked by the arrow in each of the following. Record your answer in the unit
indicated in the brackets.
a.
0 cm 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
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(mm)
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b.
0 cm 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(cm)

4 Jacaranda Maths Quest 12 Foundation Mathematics VCE Units 3 & 4 First Edition
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THINK WRITE
a. 1. From left to right, count how many centimetres the a. 1 cm

1 × 10 = 10 mm
arrow has passed.

number of mm in each cm (1 cm = 10 mm).

2. Multiply that number by 10 to account for the

3. Add the extra millimetres (mm). 10 + 5 = 15 mm

b. 1. Count the number of centimetres the arrow has b. 2 cm
passed. The whole numbers represent the number

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of cm.
4
2. The extra 4 mm represent cm or 0.4 cm. 0.4 cm

2 + 0.4 = 2.4 cm
10

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3. Add the whole and part cm.

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The measurement of volume, weight and time has become extremely accurate due to advances in technology.

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Volume is now measured using advanced laser systems, whereas in the past some of the volumes that occurred
in nature could not be accurately measured. Digital scales are used to accurately measure very small or large
weights, and atomic clocks can be accurate to the nearest second for millions of years.

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13.2.3 Converting between units of measurements

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eles-xxxx
The relationships (or ratios) between the metric units of length can be used to convert a measurement from one
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unit to another.

Unit conversion
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Units of length can be converted as shown in the following diagram. The numbers next to each
arrow is called the conversion factor.
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× 1000 × 100 × 10
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kilometres metres centimetres millimetres

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(km) (m) (cm) (mm)

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÷ 1000 ÷ 100 ÷ 10

The following table shows how to convert a larger unit to a smaller unit.
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In every 1 cm there In every 1 m there are In every 1 km there

are 10 mm. 100 cm. are 1000 m.
5 cm = 50 mm 5 m = 500 cm 25 km = 25 000 m
0.6 cm = 6 mm 0.5 m = 50 cm 0.75 km = 750 m
(Multiply by 10.) (Multiply by 100.) (Multiply by 1000.)

TOPIC 13 Practicalities of measurement 5

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The following table shows how to convert a smaller unit to a larger unit.

In every 10 mm there In every 100 cm there In every 1000 m there

is 1 cm. is 1 m. is 1 km.
400 mm = 40 cm 750 cm = 7.5 m 25 000 m = 25 km
52 mm = 5.2 cm 32 cm = 0.32 m 750 m = 0.750 km
(Divide by 10.) (Divide by 100.) (Divide by 1000.)

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WORKED EXAMPLE 2 Converting metric lengths

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a. 0.234 km = ___ m b. 24 000 mm = ___ m
Convert the following lengths to the units shown.

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a. 0.234 km = (0.234 × 1000) m
THINK WRITE

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= 234 m
a. To convert from kilometres to metres, multiply
by 1000, because there are 1000 m for each 1 km.

b. 24 000 mm = (24 000 ÷ 10 ÷ 100) m

= (2400 ÷ 100) m
b. To convert from millimetres to metres, first

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= 24 m
divide by 10 to convert from millimetres to

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centimetres, then divide by 100 to convert from
centimetres to metres.
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All measurement conversions require the use of either multiplication (big to small units) or division (small to
big units). Volume and weight measurements use the same metric prefixes as length, while time has a standard
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system that is the same everywhere around the world.

Volume
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• In every 1 L there are 1000 mL. ÷ 1000

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mL L
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× 1000
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Weight
• In every 1 g there are 1000 mg. ÷ 1000 ÷ 1000 ÷ 1000
• In every 1 kg there are 1000 g.
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• In every 1 t there are 1000 kg.

mg g kg t
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× 1000 × 1000 × 1000

6 Jacaranda Maths Quest 12 Foundation Mathematics VCE Units 3 & 4 First Edition
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Time
60 seconds = 1 minute
7 days = 1 week
• ÷ 60 ÷ 60 ÷ 24

365 days = 1 year

•

60 minutes = 1 hour
•

12 months = 1 year
• s min h days

10 years = 1 decade
•

24 hours = 1 day
•

52 weeks = 1 year
× 60 × 60 × 24
•

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100 years = 1 century
•
•

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Note: There are 366 days in a leap year, which occurs every 4 years. If the last two digits form a multiple of 4,

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then the year is a leap year. For example, 2018 is a not a leap year because 18 is not a multiple of 4.

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WORKED EXAMPLE 3 Converting volumes, weight and time

a. 400 mL = ___ L b. 1500 g = ___ kg c. 5 h = ___ s

Convert the following volume, weight and time measurements.

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a. 400 mL = (400 ÷ 1000) L
THINK WRITE

G = 0.4 L
a. To convert from millilitres (mL) to litres (L)
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divide by 1000.

b. 1500 g = (1500 ÷ 1000) kg

= 1.5 kg
b. To convert from grams (g) to kilograms (kg)
divide by 1000.

c. 5 h = (5 × 60) min
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= 300 min
c. To convert from hours to seconds, first multiply

300 min = (300 × 60) s

by 60 to convert from hours to minutes, then

= 18 000 s
multiply by 60 again to convert from minutes
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to seconds.
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All measurements need to be in the same unit before they can be added or subtracted.
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WORKED EXAMPLE 4 Adding like‐sized measurements

Calculate the value of 6 m 25 cm + 18 m 92 cm using two different methods.

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THINK WRITE

6 m 25 cm + 18 m 92 cm = 6 m + 25 cm + 18 m + 92 cm
First method:

= 6 m + 18 m + 25 cm + 92 cm
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1. Collect the like-sized measurements.

= 24 m + 117 cm
2. Add the like-sized measurements.

= 24 m + 1 m + 17 cm
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= 25 m + 17 cm
3. Convert 117 cm into metres and centimetres.
Add 24 m and 1 m.

6 m 25 cm + 18 m 92 cm = 6.25 m + 18.92 m
Second method:
1. Convert both measurements to decimal

= 25.17 m
measurements of the larger unit.
2. Add the two decimals.

TOPIC 13 Practicalities of measurement 7

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Resources
Resourceseses
Interactivity Converting units of length (int-4011)

13.2 Exercise

Students, these questions are even better in jacPLUS

Receive immediate Access Track your

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feedback and access additional results and
sample responses questions progress

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1. WE1 State the measurement marked by the arrow in each of the following. Record your answer in the unit

indicated in brackets.

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a.
0 cm 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
(cm)
b.

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0 cm 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

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(mm)
c.
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0 cm 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
(mm)
d.
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0 cm 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
(cm)

2. a. Convert 5600 m to km. b. Convert 21 cm to mm.

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c. Convert 55 km to m. d. Convert 2.2 m to cm.

e. Convert 350 cm to m. f. Convert 25 mm to cm.

a. 0.165 km = ______ m b. 780 cm = ______ m

3. WE2 Convert the following lengths to the units shown.
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c. 0.158 m = ______ cm d. 13 m = ______ km

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km = ______ cm f. 36 000 mm = ______ m

1
e. 1
4
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4. Convert the following measurements as indicated.

a. Convert 5632 cm to km. b. Convert 204 310 cm to km.
c. Convert 5.5 km to cm. d. Convert 2.2 m to mm.
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e. Convert 35 000 cm to km. f. Convert 250 mm to m.

5. Arrange the following lengths in descending order.

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a. 89 000 cm, 7.825 m, 98 760 mm, 0.3217 km

b. 0.786 mm, 0.786 km, 0.000 786 m, 0.0786 cm

6. Arrange each of the following in ascending order.

a. 0.15 km, 135 m, 2400 cm b. 25 cm, 120 mm, 0.5 m
c. 9 m, 10 000 mm, 0.45 km d. 32 000 cm, 1200 m, 1 km
e. 1.5 m, 150 cm, 0.0015 km f. 8.25 km, 825 m, 90 000 cm

8 Jacaranda Maths Quest 12 Foundation Mathematics VCE Units 3 & 4 First Edition
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a. 15 mm + 5 cm b. 1.5 m + 20 mm
7. WE4 Calculate the value of each of the following, in centimetres.

c. 855 mm + 1.8 m d. 5.67 cm + 1156 mm − 0.25 m

a. 15 cm 15 mm + 27 cm 86 mm b. 6 km 58 m + 84 km 47 m
8. Calculate the value of each of the following.

c. 75 cm 10 mm − 15 cm 5 mm d. 125 m 58 cm − 18 m 85 cm

9. Determine which volume measurement is the most appropriate for each of the following objects.
a. b.

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10. Determine which weight measurement is the most appropriate for each of the following objects.

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a. b. c.

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11. MC Of the following, the largest volume is:

A. 1500 mL
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B. 3L
C. 0.465 L
D. 858 mL
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E. 1.521 L
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12. WE3 Convert the following volume measurements.

a. 2500 mL to L b. 3 L to mL c. 3.1 mL to L
d. 5.25 L to mL e. 7.5 L to mL f. 3 34 mL to L
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13. Arrange the following weights in ascending order.

a. 2500 g, 2.4 kg, 400 000 mg, 0.000 024 t
b. 0.05 kg, 54 g, 52 000 mg, 0.0005 t
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a. 1555 mg > 2 g b. 3.2 kg = 320 g

14. State whether each of the following is True or False.

c. 45 000 mg < 0.145 kg d. 500 000 mg > 500 g

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a. 505 g = b. 4.5 mg =
15. Convert the following weight measurements.

c. 6.4 kg = d. 5840 g =
mg g

e. 75 821 mg = f. 0.000 07 kg =
g kg
kg mg

TOPIC 13 Practicalities of measurement 9

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16. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate time measurement from the list below. (Use each term only once.)

second, hours, weeks, minutes, years, day

a. The speed of light is 299 792 458 m/_____.
b. Distance to most planets is measured in light _________.
c. A full-time job is considered to be 35–40 ______ per week.
d. There is always at least one low and one high tide every _______.
e. It takes about 2 ________ to cook instant popcorn.
f. A normal pregnancy takes between 37 and 42 ________.

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17. Arrange each of the following in descending order.
a. 2 decades, 1.5 centuries, 250 years, 500 months

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b. 750 minutes, 12.6 hours, 4250 seconds, 0.56 days, 0.1 weeks

4.5 decades = ______ years

18. Convert the following time measurements:

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825 years = ______ decades
a.

3.4 centuries = _______ years

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b.

485 years = ______ centuries

c.

5 centuries = ________ decades

d.

120 decades = ______ centuries

e.

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f.

a. 240 s = b. 5.2 min =

G c. 4.6 h =
19. Convert the following time measurements. Give answers to 2 decimal places where necessary.

d. 320 min = e. 30 000 s = f. 20.3 h =

min s min
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h h s
20. MC Calculate how many days there were in 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1984 combined.
A. 1460
ED

B. 1461
C. 1462
D. 1459
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E. 1458
21. MC Calculate how many hours there are in 3.6 days.
A. 86 B. 86.6 C. 864 D. 86.4 E. 866
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22. MC Calculate how many days there are in 396 hours.

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A. 16.5 B. 16 C. 15.5 D. 15 E. 14.5

23. Explain why it would not be wise to use millimetres to

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measure the distance between Melbourne and Perth.

24. Wayne’s Concreting Crew needs to pour concrete for a
driveway. They have calculated that the driveway needs
20 cubic metres (20 m3 ) of concrete.
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a. If 1 cubic metre equals 1000 litres, calculate how many

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litres of concrete are needed.

b. Calculate how many cubic metres you can cover if you
have 2584 litres of concrete.

10 Jacaranda Maths Quest 12 Foundation Mathematics VCE Units 3 & 4 First Edition
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13.3 Areas of composite figures

LEARNING INTENTION
At the end of this subtopic you should be able to:
• calculate the areas of composite figures by adding and subtracting regular areas.

13.3.1 Sum of areas

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eles-xxxx
A composite figure can be divided into two or more
sections, each of which is a smaller regular shape

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Semicircle
with a known area formula. The shape shown here is
a combination of a semicircle and a triangle.

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Triangle

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Determining the area of a composite figure
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• Divide the shape into smaller figures that have a known area formula.
• Calculate the area of each smaller figure.
• Calculate the area of the composite figure by adding the areas of the smaller figures.
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WORKED EXAMPLE 5 Calculating composite areas by adding

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Calculate the area of the following composite figure.

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23 mm
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6 mm 15 mm
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15 mm

Atotal = Atrapezium + Asquare

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THINK WRITE
1. This composite figure is made up of a square
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and a trapezium. Add the areas of the two to

Asquare = l × l
calculate the total area.

= 15 × 15
2. Calculate the area of the square.

= 225 mm2

TOPIC 13 Practicalities of measurement 11

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Atrapezium = (a + b)h
1
height is 23 − 15 = 8 mm.
3. Calculate the area of the trapezium, where the

= (6 + 15) × 8
2
1

= 84 mm2
2

Atotal = Atrapezium + Asquare

= 84 + 225
4. Calculate the total area of the figure by adding
the two areas.
= 309 mm2

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5. Write the answer. The area of the figure is 309 mm2 .

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13.3.2 Difference between areas
eles-xxxx

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Not all composite figures are made by adding several smaller shapes together; some shapes are made by
subtracting one shape from another.

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WORKED EXAMPLE 6 Calculating composite areas by subtracting

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Calculate the area of the shaded region.
PA
8m
ED

4m
CT

3m
E
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Ashaded = Asquare − Atriangle

THINK WRITE
1. This composite shape is a square with a
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triangle cut out. Calculate the shaded area by

subtracting the area of the triangle from the

Asquare = l × l
area of the square.

= 8×8
2. Calculate the area of the square.
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= 64 m2
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Atriangle = ×b×h
1
3. Calculate the area of the triangle.

= ×3×4
2
1

= 6 m2
2

12 Jacaranda Maths Quest 12 Foundation Mathematics VCE Units 3 & 4 First Edition
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Ashaded = Asquare − Atriangle

= 64 − 6
4. Calculate the shaded area by subtracting the
area of the triangle from the area of the square.
= 58 m2
5. Write the answer. The shaded area is 58 m2 .

WORKED EXAMPLE 7 Calculating composite areas with circles

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Calculate the area of the shaded region to 2 decimal places.

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8 cm

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12 cm

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Ashaded = Alarger circle − Asmaller circle
THINK WRITE
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This composite shape is a circle with a smaller
circle cut out. Calculate the shaded area by
subtracting the area of the smaller circle from
the area of the larger circle.
Alarger circle = 𝜋r2
ED

= 𝜋 × 122
Calculate the area of the larger circle.

= 452.3893 . . . cm2
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Asmaller circle = 𝜋r2

= 𝜋 × 82
Calculate the area of the smaller circle.
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= 201.0619 . . . cm2
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Ashaded = Alarger circle − Asmaller circle

= 452.3893 − 201.0619
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Calculate the shaded area by subtracting the

= 251.3274 cm2
area of the smaller circle from the area of
the larger circle.
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Write the answer correct to 2 decimal places. The shaded area is 251.33 cm2 .
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Resources
Resourceseses
Digital document WorkSHEET Area (doc-5241)
Video eLesson Composite area (eles-1886)

TOPIC 13 Practicalities of measurement 13

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13.3 Exercise

Students, these questions are even better in jacPLUS

Receive immediate Access Track your
feedback and access additional results and
sample responses questions progress

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1. Name the two smaller shapes that make the following composite shapes.
a. b. c. d.

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O
PR
2. WE5 Calculate the area of the composite figure.

E
12 cm

8 cm

G
PA
18 cm
ED

3. Calculate the area of the following shape to 2 decimal places.

CT

4.5 cm
E
RR

6.7 cm
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4. Calculate the areas of the following composite shapes.

N

a. b.
12 mm
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11 mm
9m
7m
16 mm

6m

14 Jacaranda Maths Quest 12 Foundation Mathematics VCE Units 3 & 4 First Edition
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c. d.

14 cm 18 cm
22 mm 12 mm

17 cm

22 mm

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5. Calculate the areas of the following composite shapes.
a. 6.5 cm b.
m
4c

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2.1 cm

3c
3.6 cm

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3.8 cm

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6.2 cm

5 cm

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c. d. 175 mm

G
12 m
PA
33 m
ED

28 m

6. WE6 Calculate the shaded areas of the following shapes.

CT

a. b.
E

2 mm
3.5 cm
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7.5 mm

7. Consider the hexagon shown.

a. Calculate the area of the hexagon by dividing it into two trapeziums.
N

b. Calculate the area of the hexagon by dividing it into a rectangle and

two triangles. 20 cm 10 cm
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c. Compare your answers to parts a and b.

24 cm

TOPIC 13 Practicalities of measurement 15

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8. A triangular pyramid can be constructed from the net shown.

Calculate the total area of the net.

48 mm

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200 mm

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9. Calculate the area of the shaded region.

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14 cm

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6 cm 12 cm

E
20 cm

10. Calculate the area of the shaded region to 2 decimal places.

G
PA
3.3 cm
ED

6.2 cm
E CT
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11. The door shown is 1 metre wide and 2.2 metres high. It has four identical
glass panels, each measuring 76 cm by 15 cm. 1m
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a. Calculate the total area of the glass panels. 15 cm

b. The door is to be painted on both sides. Calculate the total area to be
76 cm
painted.

sold in 1-litre tins at $24.95 per litre and each litre covers 8 m2 of the
N

c. Two coats of paint are required on each side of the door. If the paint is
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surface, calculate the total cost of painting the door. 2.2 m

16 Jacaranda Maths Quest 12 Foundation Mathematics VCE Units 3 & 4 First Edition
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12. Calculate the area of the shaded region shown.

10 cm

FS
13. The leadlight panel shown depicts a sunrise over the mountains. The
mountain is represented by a green triangle 45 cm high. The yellow sun

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is represented by a section of a circle with an 18 cm radius. There are
10 yellow sunrays in the shape of isosceles triangles with a base of 3 cm

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and a height of 12 cm, and the sky is blue. Calculate the area of the 100 cm
leadlight panel made of:

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a. green glass
b. yellow glass
c. blue glass. 90 cm

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14. WE7 Calculate the area of the shaded region to 2 decimal places.

G
a. PA b.

5.5 cm
20 cm
7.8 cm
38 cm
ED
CT

15. Calculate the area of the shaded region to 2 decimal places.

E
RR

12 cm
CO

16. Calculate the area of the shaded region to 2 decimal places.

N

a. b.
U

7.2 m
90°
6 cm 140°

TOPIC 13 Practicalities of measurement 17

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17. MC The area of a circle is equal to 113.14 mm2 . The radius of the circle is closest to:
A. 36 mm B. 6 mm C. 2133 mm D. 7 mm E. 8 mm

18. Circular pizza trays come in three different sizes: small, medium
and large.
a. Calculate the area of each tray if the diameters are 20 cm, 30 cm and
40 cm respectively.
b. Calculate how much material must be ordered to make 50 trays
of each.

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c. A slice from the large pizza makes an angle from the centre of 45º.
Calculate the area of the pizza slice.

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19. A Rugby pitch is rectangular and measures 100 m in length and 68 m in width.
a. Calculate the area of the pitch.

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b. If the pitch was laid with instant turf, with each sheet measuring 4 m by 50 cm, calculate how many

c. If each sheet costs $10.50, calculate how much it would cost to cover the pitch.
sheets of turf are required to cover the pitch.

PR
20. A school is looking to build four netball courts side by side. A netball court measures 15.25 m wide by
30.5 m long, and they require a 3-m strip between each court and around the outside.

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G
PA
30.5 m
15.25 m
ED

3m
CT

a. Determine the area of each netball court.

b. Calculate the total area, in metres, that the school would need for the four netball courts and its
surrounding space.
E

d. If it costs $9.50 per square metre to paint the netball courts, calculate how much it would cost to paint the
c. If the four netball courts are painted, determine the area that needs to be painted.
RR

four courts.
CO

13.4 Surface areas of pyramids and irregular solids

N

LEARNING INTENTION
U

At the end of this subtopic you should be able to:

• calculate the total surface area of cones and pyramids
• calculate the total surface area of composite shapes.

18 Jacaranda Maths Quest 12 Foundation Mathematics VCE Units 3 & 4 First Edition
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13.4.1 Total surface area of a cone

eles-xxxx
The total surface area of a cone, when the radius (r) and the slant height (s) are known,
can be found using the formula shown below.
The slant height is the measurement along the side of the cone, not the vertical
height (h) of the cone. s s
h
Total surface area of a cone
TSAcone = 𝜋rs + 𝜋r2

FS
r

O
O
WORKED EXAMPLE 8 Calculating the surface area of a cone

PR
Calculate the total surface area of the cone shown correct to 1 decimal place.

15 cm

E
G
PA
10 cm

TSAcone = 𝜋rs + 𝜋r2

THINK WRITE

1. Identify the shape as a cone and write the

ED

r = 10 and s = 15
appropriate total surface area formula.
2. Identify the dimensions of the object.

TSAcone = 𝜋 × 10 × 15 + 𝜋 × 102
= 150𝜋 + 100𝜋
3. Substitute the values for the radius and the
CT

= 250𝜋
slant height into the TSA formula and calculate

= 785.398 163 4
the TSA of the cone.

≈ 785.4
E
RR

4. Write the answer. The total surface area of the cone is 785.4 cm2 .
CO

13.4.2 Total surface area of a pyramid

eles-xxxx
The total surface area of a pyramid can be calculated by adding the area of the base to the area of each of
N

its sides.
Taking the square-based pyramid as an example, its total surface area can be found as shown.
U

+4×

l l
l

TOPIC 13 Practicalities of measurement 19

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Total surface area of a square-based pyramid

TSAsquare‐based pyramid = Abase + 4 × Asides

This method can be adapted to rectangular-based pyramids and triangular-based pyramids.

WORKED EXAMPLE 9 Calculating the surface area of a pyramid

FS
Calculate the total surface area of the pyramid shown correct to 2 decimal
places.

O
12 cm

O
PR
10 cm

E
TSAsquare‐based pyramid = Abase + 4 × Asides
THINK WRITE

G
1. The pyramid is made up of a square base and
four triangular sides.
Abase = l2
PA
= 102
2. Calculate the area of the square base with a
side length of 10 cm.
= 100 cm2
ED

3. To calculate the area of the triangular side, we

need to determine the vertical height using
CT

Pythagoras’ theorem. h
12

Hypotenuse is 12 cm and half the width of the

base is 5 cm.
E

c = a2 + b2
10

122 = 52 + h2
2
RR

144 = 25 + h2
CO

h2 = 144 − 25
h2 = 119
Subtract 25 from both sides. To undo the
square, take the square root of both sides.
h = 119
√
N

Atriangle = bh
U

1
4. Calculate the area of the triangular side.

= × 10 × 119
2
1 √

= 54.5436 cm2
2

20 Jacaranda Maths Quest 12 Foundation Mathematics VCE Units 3 & 4 First Edition
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TSAsquare‐based pyramid = Abase + 4 × Asides

= 100 + 4 × 54.5436
5. Calculate the TSA.

= 318.1744 cm2
6. Write the answer. The total surface area of the pyramid is 318.17 cm2 .

13.4.3 Surface area of a composite shape

FS
eles-xxxx
Like the areas of combined 2D shapes, some 3D shapes are made by combining a number of regular 3D shapes;
for example, the 3D shape below can be made using a cube and a square-based pyramid as shown.

O
O
PR
E
G
PA
ED

Note: When two 3D shapes are combined together, adding the total surface area of the two individual shapes
generally does not result in a total surface area of the composite shape. Referring to the cube and the square-
based pyramid above, the top of the cube (green) and the base of the square-based pyramid (pink) sit on top of
CT

each other and are therefore no longer an outside surface.

Remember that the total surface area is the area of all the outside surfaces (i.e. the surfaces that can be
E

touched).
RR

WORKED EXAMPLE 10 Calculating the surface area of a composite shape

Calculate the total surface area of the shape shown.

CO

5 cm
N

8 cm
U

TOPIC 13 Practicalities of measurement 21

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TSA = 5 × Acube sides + 4 × Apyramid sides

THINK WRITE
1. The total surface area of the shape is made up
of 5 faces of the cube and the 4 sides of the

Acube sides = 8 × 8
pyramid.

= 64
2. Calculate the area of the cube sides.

3. Calculate the vertical height of the triangular

FS
side of the pyramid using Pythagoras’ theorem. 5 cm

O
c = a + b2
4 cm

52 = a2 + 42
2 2

O
25 = a2 + 16

PR
a2 = 25 − 16
a2 = 9
Subtract 16 from both sides.

E
a=3

G
Take the square root of both sides.

Apyramid side = ×8×3

1
PA
4. Calculate the area of the pyramid sides.

= 12
2

TSA = 5 × Acube sides + 4 × Apyramid sides

= (5 × 64) + (4 × 12)
ED

5. Calculate the total surface area of the shape.

= 320 + 48
= 368
CT

6. Write the answer. The total surface area of the shape is 368 cm2 .
E
RR

Resources
Resourceseses
Digital document WorkSHEET Surface area (doc-5242)
CO

13.4 Exercise
N

Students, these questions are even better in jacPLUS

Receive immediate Access Track your
U

feedback and access additional results and

sample responses questions progress

Find all this and MORE in jacPLUS

22 Jacaranda Maths Quest 12 Foundation Mathematics VCE Units 3 & 4 First Edition
 “c13PracticalitiesOfMeasurement_PrintPDF” — 2022/6/24 — 7:07 — page 23 — #23

1. WE8 Calculate the total surface area of the cone shown, correct to 2 decimal places.

3.8 m

1.8 m

FS
2. Calculate the total surface area of the following shape, correct to 2 decimal places.

O
18.6 mm

O
PR
23.4 mm

E
3. Calculate the total surface area of the following shapes, correct to 2 decimal places.

G
a. b.
PA
6 cm

12.5 m
4.2 m
ED

4 cm
CT

4. WE9 Calculate the total surface area of the following pyramid, correct to 2 decimal places.
E

9 cm
RR

14 cm
CO

5. Calculate the surface area of the following shape, correct to 2 decimal places.
N
U

15.9 cm

9.5 cm
17.4 cm

TOPIC 13 Practicalities of measurement 23

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6. Calculate the total surface area of each of the following shapes, correct to 2 decimal places.
a. b.
9.6 m
13 cm

m
71
15.
13.4 m
8 cm
8.2 m

FS
7. Calculate the total surface area of the following triangular-based pyramid, correct to 2 decimal places.

10 cm

O
O
8 cm

PR
6 cm

8. WE10 Calculate the total surface area of the following shape, correct to 2 decimal places.

E
G
18.2 cm
PA
13.5 cm
ED
CT

9. Calculate the total surface area of the following shape, correct to 1 decimal place.
E
RR

4.2 cm
CO

7.2 cm
5.5 cm
N

9.9 cm
U

10. A 22-mm cube has a square-based pyramid sit on top of it with a slant length of 28 mm. Calculate its total
surface area correct to 2 decimal places.
11. Calculate the total surface area of a hemisphere of radius 6 cm that sits on a cylinder that has a radius 6 cm
and height of 12 cm.
12. Calculate the total surface area of two cones joined together at their circular bases if they both have a
diameter of 24 cm and a slant length of 18 cm.

24 Jacaranda Maths Quest 12 Foundation Mathematics VCE Units 3 & 4 First Edition
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13. Calculate the total surface area of each of the shapes shown to 2 decimal places.
a. b.

2.1 m

22 cm 0.8 m

FS
20 cm

14. Calculate the total surface area of the shape shown, correct to 2 decimal places.

O
O
6 cm

PR
4 cm

E
8 cm

G
PA
15. The drawing shown is part of a child’s playground toy. Calculate the total surface area, giving the answer to
2 decimal places.
ED
CT

0.8 m

1.6 m
E

1.2 m
RR

16. Calculate the total surface area of a cube with side length 15 cm that has a hole drilled through it with a
diameter of 4 cm. Round the answer correct to 2 decimal places.
CO
N
U

TOPIC 13 Practicalities of measurement 25

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13.5 Limits of accuracy

LEARNING INTENTION
At the end of this subtopic you should be able to:
• calculate limits of accuracy
• identify and calculate different types of error.

FS
13.5.1 Accuracy
eles-xxxx
Accuracy refers to how closely a measured value agrees with the actual

O
value. The accuracy of a measurement can be improved by measuring with
smaller units. For example, a ruler that has millimetre markings will give

O
a more accurate measurement of the length of a paperclip than a ruler that
has only centimetre markings, as shown. 0 cm 1 2 3 4

PR
Precision refers to how closely the individual measurements agree with
each other. It is possible for a measuring device to be precise but not
accurate.

E
The following diagram compares accuracy and precision.

G
0 cm 1 2 3 4
PA
ED

Accurate but Precise but Accurate and

not precise not accurate precise
CT

13.5.2 Limits of accuracy

E

eles-xxxx
The following ruler has only centimetre markings, so
RR

measurements are approximated to the nearest centimetre.

Lengths between 4.5 cm and 5.5 cm are all measured as 5 cm 0 cm 1 2 3 4 5 6
with this ruler.
CO

The limit of accuracy of a measuring tool is half of the smallest unit marked on the tool. This limit determines
the highest and lowest values that will result in a particular measurement being recorded. The highest and lowest
values indicate the range within which the actual value will lie.
N

The limit of accuracy of the ruler shown is 0.5 cm, which is half 4.5 cm 5.5 cm
of the unit shown on the scale. If an object is measured with
U

this ruler as being 5 cm long, the actual measurement will be

0 cm 1 2 3 4 5 6
between 4.5 cm and 5.5 cm; that is, half a unit above and below
the nearest centimetre.
This can be expressed as 5.0 ± 0.5 cm; the ± 0.5 cm is known as the tolerance.
It is always possible to divide a measurement unit into smaller units. For example, metres can be divided into
centimetres, centimetres can be divided into millimetres, millimetres can be divided into micrometres and so on.
So the measurements that we take are never exact. They are approximations only.

26 Jacaranda Maths Quest 12 Foundation Mathematics VCE Units 3 & 4 First Edition
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All measurements are approximations, not just those relating to length. For example, the measurement of
the mass of a teaspoon of butter is only as accurate as the kitchen scale with which it is measured, and the
measurement of a baby’s temperature is only as accurate as the thermometer’s scale.

WORKED EXAMPLE 11 Calculating limits of accuracy

The speedometer shown measures the speed at which a car is travelling.

a. State the limit of accuracy for this speedometer.
b. Provide a range within which the car’s actual speed (as indicated by the

FS
arrow) lies.

O
THINK WRITE

O
a. Limit of accuracy = ×5
1
a. Each marking on the scale represents 5 km/h, so

= 2.5

PR
the limit of accuracy is half of this measurement. 2

b. 80 − 2.5 = 77.5 and

80 + 2.5 = 82.5
b. The arrow is pointing to 80 km/h on the

the range of 80 km/h − 2.5 km/h to

E
speedometer. The actual speed lies within

80 km/h + 2.5 km/h.

The actual speed lies within the range of 77.5 km/h

G
to 82.5 km/h.
PA
13.5.3 Types of error
eles-xxxx
Errors in measurement can be made due to a number of factors:
ED

• An inappropriate instrument being used. For example,

it would be inappropriate to use a centimetre ruler to
measure the distance from Melbourne to Sydney. 7m
CT

127 m 134 m 13
• Human error when reading the measurement. For
example, when measuring the length of a school football
oval, it is possible for three different students to report three different results.
E

• Inaccuracy of the instrument being used. For example, it would be more accurate to measure 20 mL with a
RR

measuring cylinder instead of a beaker.

The difference between the measurement made (the estimated value) and the actual size of the object is called
the error.
CO

The error can be positive or negative and can be calculated using the formula:
error = estimated value − actual value
N

13.5.4 Accuracy of measurement

U

eles-xxxx
The number of decimal places a measurement contains can give an indication of the accuracy of the
measurement. For example:
• A measurement of 5 m indicates that the length is closer to 5 m than it is to either 4 m or 6 m. It has been
measured to the nearest metre.
• A measurement of 5.00 m indicates that the length is closer to 5.00 m than it is to 4.99 m or 5.01 m. It has
been measured to the nearest hundredth of a metre or the nearest centimetre.
• A measurement of 5.000 m has been measured to the nearest thousandth of a metre or the nearest
millimetre.

TOPIC 13 Practicalities of measurement 27

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The number of decimal places a measurement can have is determined by the scale on the measuring device and
the units the device has.
The more decimal places a measurement has, the more accurately it was measured.

13.5.5 The absolute error

eles-xxxx
The absolute error is the value of the error without the positive or negative sign. The calculation for the
absolute error is done in a pair of vertical bars. This is called the modulus and means that you ignore the sign
of the number. As the sign is ignored, the absolute error is never negative.

FS
Absolute error
absolute error = ∣ estimated value − actual value ∣

O
O
PR
The significance of the error can be seen when it is compared with the actual value. For example, an error of 1 m
may not be significant if the actual length of the object is 5 m. However, the same error would be significant if
the actual length is 5 cm.

E
WORKED EXAMPLE 12 Calculating absolute error

G
a. Richie estimated his tennis grip to be 105 mm. When he arrived
PA
at the store to purchase the grip, the owner suggested they
measure the circumference of his racquet handle to confirm his
estimate. The actual measurement was 107 mm.
Calculate the absolute error of Richie’s measurement.
ED

b. Geoff ordered a surfboard that was 2.25 inches thick. The

thickness of the board was perfect for his weight of 70 kilos.
His surfboard shaper thought he had written 2.75 inches on
the order form, and shaped the board to that specification.
CT

Determine if this was a significant error and explain why or

why not.
E

a. Absolute error = |estimated value − actual value| a. ∣ 105 mm − 107 mm ∣ = ∣ −2mm ∣

RR

THINK WRITE

= 2mm

b. 1. Absolute error = |estimated value − actual value| b. ∣ 2.25 inches − 2.75 inches ∣ = | − 0.5 inches ∣
CO

= 0.5 inches
2. Compare the absolute error to the original Yes, 0.50 inches is almost a quarter of the
N

measurement. original measurement and is therefore a

significant error.
U

28 Jacaranda Maths Quest 12 Foundation Mathematics VCE Units 3 & 4 First Edition
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13.5.6 Percentage error

eles-xxxx
To compare the estimated value with the actual value, the absolute relative error is calculated. It expresses the
absolute error as a fraction of the actual value.

Absolute relative error and absolute percentage error

| estimated value − actual value |
absolute relative error = || |
|
| actual value |

FS
The absolute relative error can be converted into the absolute percentage error by multiplying
by 100%.

| estimated value − actual value |

absolute percentage error = || | × 100%

O
= absolute relative error × 100%
|
actual value

O
| |

PR
WORKED EXAMPLE 13 Calculating types of error

E
A student measured the width of a page of her workbook. Her measurement was 19.5 cm. If the actual
width of the page was 20.5 cm, calculate:

G
a. the error b. the absolute error
c. the absolute relative error d. the absolute percentage error.
PA
a. The error is the difference between a. Error = 19.5 − 20.5
THINK WRITE

= −1.0 cm
ED

the estimated value and the actual

b. Absolute error = | − 1.0|

value.

= 1.0 cm
b. The absolute error is the error
CT

expressed without the positive or

negative sign.
| estimated value − actual value |
c. Absolute relative error = ||
E

c. The absolute relative error is the |

| 19.5 − 20.5 |
|

= |
absolute error expressed as a | actual value |
RR

fraction of the actual value. | |

|

=
| 20.5 |
1.0

= 0.049
CO

20.5

d. Absolute percentage error = absolute relative error × 100%

= 0.049 × 100%
d. The absolute percentage error is
N

= 4.9%
the absolute error expressed as a
percentage of the actual value.
U

Resources
Resourceseses
Weblinks Hindawi
Time.is

TOPIC 13 Practicalities of measurement 29

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13.5 Exercise

Students, these questions are even better in jacPLUS

Receive immediate Access Track your
feedback and access additional results and
sample responses questions progress

Find all this and MORE in jacPLUS

FS
1. WE11 For each of the scales shown:
i. state the limit of accuracy

O
ii. write a range to show the values between which the measurement shown on the scale lies.
a. b.

O
100 150 200 250 300
°C °C

PR
E
c. d.

G
CUPS
8
7
PA
6
5
4
3
ED

2
CT

2. Write the measurements of the following lines as accurately as possible.

a.
E

0 cm 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
RR

b.
0 cm 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
CO

3. Each of the following lengths has been recorded to the nearest centimetre. Provide a range within which
each measurement will lie.
a. 5 cm b. 12 cm c. 100 cm d. 850 cm e. 5 m f. 2.5 m
N

4. For each of the following measurements, provide the two limits between which the actual measurement
will lie.
U

a. The length of a book is 29 cm, correct to the nearest centimetre.

b. The mass of meat purchased is 250 grams, correct to the nearest 10 grams.
c. The volume of cough medicine is 10 mL, correct to the nearest 5 mL.
d. It takes me half an hour to walk to school, to the nearest minute.
5. MC The most accurate of the following measurements is:
A. 7 B. 7.0 C. 0.7 D. 7.7 E. 7.07

30 Jacaranda Maths Quest 12 Foundation Mathematics VCE Units 3 & 4 First Edition
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6. MC The least accurate of the following measurements is:

A. 8.000 B. 8.0 C. 8 D. 8.008 E. 0.08

(2.500 m = 2500 mm). Determine the unit to which each of the following measurements is accurate.
7. A measurement of 2.500 m indicates that the measurement is accurate to the nearest millimetre

a. 35.20 m b. 1.30 m c. 1.000 km

d. 8.0 cm e. 5.000 m f. 2.520 km

8. Four students recorded the following measured lengths during a Science class. The actual lengths were also
recorded. Calculate the error made by each student.

FS
Student Estimated value Actual value

O
a 10 cm 9.4 cm
b 15.5 cm 17.2 cm

O
c 250 km 228 km
d 37 mm 38.1 mm

PR
9. WE12 a. Jordan estimated the length of his bedroom as 410 cm..
However, when he measured it, he found out it was only 395 cm
long.

E
Calculate the absolute error of Jordan’s measurement

G
b. Jamie ordered a 30-cm pizza for a party with her friends. However,
when it arrived, she found that the pizza was only 29.7 cm wide.
PA
State if this is a significant error and explain why or why not.
10. Calculate the absolute error for each of the following.
a. The distance from home to school is estimated by a student to be 2 km. The actual distance is 1.85 km.
ED

b. The weight stated on a packet of lollies is 250 g. The actual weight is 254 g.
c. The scheduled arrival time of the plane from Kansas City is 7:23 pm. The actual arrival time is 7:46 pm.
d. The estimated volume of water in a fish tank is 65 L. The actual volume is 72 L.
CT

11. You measured your friend’s height to be 165 cm. If the absolute error of your measurement is 4 cm,
calculate how tall your friend is.
(Hint: There may be more than one answer.)
E

12. WE13 Complete the following table by calculating the error, the absolute error, the absolute relative error
RR

and the absolute percentage error. Give your answers to the absolute relative errors correct to 2 decimal
places where necessary, and give your answers to the absolute percentage errors to the nearest whole
number.
(Hint: Make sure that both measurements are in the same unit.)
CO

Measurement
Absolute
N

Absolute Absolute percentage

Estimated Actual Error error relative error error
U

a 250 m 245 m
b 95 cm 1.02 m
c 2 cm 18.5 mm
d 48 seconds 1 minute
e 1.4 kg 1 kg 300 g
f 750 mL 0.9 L

TOPIC 13 Practicalities of measurement 31

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13. After ordering food in a local restaurant, a family estimates that their dinner will cost $120. Compare their
estimate with the actual total, as shown on the bill, and calculate their absolute percentage error to the
nearest whole number.

Supreme Paradise Restaurant

2 chicken soup $12.00
1 spring roll $3.50
chicken kiev $22.00
tuna salad $16.00
spaghetti bolognese $12.00

FS
chocolate mousse $6.00
mud cake $5.00
ice-cream $3.00
red wine $35.00
2 orange juice $7.50

O
Total $122.00

O
14. a. Explain how you would calculate the limit of accuracy of the ruler shown.

PR
0 cm 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

E
b. A line measured with this ruler is recorded as 23 mm. Determine between which two measurements the
actual length will lie.

G
15. Explain why any measurement is an approximation and can never be exact.
PA
16. Explain the difference between a measurement of 4 km and a measurement of 4.000 km.

17. Medical researchers have found that estimating the weight of unborn babies is critical in determining the
quality of their health at pregnancy. There are two methods that are used to estimate the weight of unborn
ED

babies: an ultrasound of the expecting mother, or specific measurements of her body. Both of these methods
are performed over a five-month period, to ensure accuracy. Read the abstract of the scholarly report of the
two methods at hindawi.com.
CT

a. Explain what the abstract says about the mean absolute percentage error for each method.
b. State the mean absolute percentage error for each method.
E

18. The accuracy of clocks can vary significantly. Check the clock
on your wall, your wristwatch, your mobile phone and your
RR

computer at home. These clocks could be set simultaneously,

yet after weeks or months might differ by seconds or even
minutes. Explain how you know which time is the most
CO

accurate.
An atomic clock uses the resonation of a cesium atom to
measure time, and it is the most accurate clock in the world. If you go to time.is on your phone or computer,
N

you will have access to an atomic clock that can compare your computer or mobile-phone time to the atomic

or phone with the atomic clock. The accuracy of synchronisation is ± 0.425 s.

clock. There is a problem with this method because of the inaccuracy of synchronisation of your computer
U

All computer or phone clocks are estimates compared to the atomic clock (actual time).
a. State if the accuracy of synchronisation is more or less significant if the estimated time is behind or ahead.
Explain your answer.
b. If your computer clock’s time was one minute ahead of the atomic clock, determine whether the accuracy
of synchronisation would be significant. Explain your answer.
c. If your computer’s clock time was one second behind the atomic clock, state if the accuracy of
synchronisation would be significant. Explain your answer.

32 Jacaranda Maths Quest 12 Foundation Mathematics VCE Units 3 & 4 First Edition
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13.6 Scientific notation and significant figures

LEARNING INTENTION
At the end of this subtopic you should be able to:
• convert between scientific notation and basic numerals
• use scientific notation to represent real-world situations
• write numbers to various significant figures.

FS
13.6.1 Scientific notation

O
eles-xxxx
Scientists, economists, statisticians and mathematicians often need to work with very large or very small
numbers.

O
Scientific notation (sometimes called standard form) is a way of writing a very large or very small numbers

a × 10n , where a is a number between 1 and 10. For example:

PR
using less space. In scientific notation, the number is written as a multiple of a power of 10 and looks like

• 3600 = 3.6 × 103

• 0.036 = 3.6 × 10−2
• 3 600 000 000 = 3.6 × 109
• 0.000 003 6 = 3.6 × 10−6

E
G
PA
Scientific notation

Number between
1 and 10
ED

Power of 10

3600 = 3.6 × 103

CT

Basic numeral Scientific notation

E
RR

WORKED EXAMPLE 14 Converting to scientific notation

Write the following numbers using scientific notation.

CO

a. 345 b. 0.007

a. 345 = 3.45 × 102

THINK WRITE
N

a. • The non-zero digit with the largest place value is 3 in the

hundreds position, as shown in blue.
U

• 3 will become the number between 1 and 10 in scientific

notation, as shown in red. The rest of the digits in 345 become
decimal places in scientific notation.
• The digit 3 must still have a value of 300, so 3.45 needs to be
multiplied by 100(102 ), as shown in purple.

TOPIC 13 Practicalities of measurement 33

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b. • The non-zero digit with the largest place value is 7 in the b. 0.007 = 7.0 × 10−3
thousandths position, as shown in blue.
• 7 will become the number between 1 and 10 in scientific notation,
as shown in red. The rest of the digits to the right (the trailing zeros)
become decimal places in scientific notation.
• The digit 7 must still have a value of 7 thousandths, so 7.0 must be

(10−3 ), as shown in purple.

1
multiplied by
1000

FS
To write a number expressed using scientific notation as a basic numeral, simply complete the multiplication.

O
WORKED EXAMPLE 15 Converting from scientific notation to basic numerals

O
a. 2.897 × 10 b. 6.05 × 10
−6
Write the following numbers as basic numerals.

PR
8

THINK WRITE

E
8
a. Complete the multiplication by 10 . This can a. 2.897 × 108 = 2.897 × 100 000 000
be done by moving the decimal point 8 places = 289 700 000

G
= 289 700 000
to the right. The result is a very large number.
b. 1. Complete the multiplication by 10−6 . This is
PA 1
b. 6.05 × 10–6 = 6.05 ×
1 1 000 000
the same as multiplying by . = 0.000 006 05
1 000 000 = 0.000 006 05
1
ED

2. Multiplying by can be done by

1 000 000
moving the decimal point 6 places to the left.
The result is a very small number.
CT

Scientific notation is displayed on some calculators and spreadsheets using the letter e or E.
E

These calculators or spreadsheets show a number between 1 and 10, then an e, and then the power to which 10 is

• 3.45 × 1018 will appear as 3.45e18 on a calculator or spreadsheet.

raised. For example:
RR

• The display 5.9E − 03 represents the number 5.9 × 10−3 .

CO

13.6.2 Measuring very large and very small units using

eles-xxxx
scientific notation
N

Astronomers use very large numbers to express distances between planets, solar systems, stars and other
celestial objects. If they are writing scientific papers for their research, scientific journals, or the general public,
U

the time it takes to repeatedly refer to these distances becomes prohibitive. Imagine writing the distance to the

this distance in scientific notation as 1.45 × 1023 km.

furthest galaxies in the solar system:145 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 km. It would be much easier to express

Physicists have a similar problem writing numbers. They record weights that are very small and, like the
astronomers, they need to describe these numbers to their readers.

counting the 0s.) Instead, physicists use the scientific notation of 9.11 × 10−31 kg.
For example, the mass of a stationary electron is 0.000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 911 kg. (Try

34 Jacaranda Maths Quest 12 Foundation Mathematics VCE Units 3 & 4 First Edition
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WORKED EXAMPLE 16 Using scientific notation in the real world

a. The approximate diameter of the Milky Way galaxy is

950 000 000 000 000 000 km. Use scientific notation to express
this distance.
b. A stock trade on the New York Stock Exchange can be made in
740 nanoseconds or 0.000 007 24 seconds. Use scientific notation
to express this time in seconds.

FS
a. 950 000 000 000 000 000 km = 9.5 × 1017 km
THINK WRITE

O
a. • 9 is in the largest place value, as shown
in purple.

O
• 9 will become the number between 1 and 10,
as shown in red.

PR
• The rest of the digits become decimal places
in scientific notation.
• The decimal point has moved 17 spaces to
the left, so the power of ten is 17.

E
b. 0.000 007 24 seconds = 7.24 × 10−6 seconds

G
b. • 7 is in the largest place value, as shown
in purple.
PA
• 7 will become the number between 1 and 10,
as shown in red.
• The rest of the digits become decimal places
in scientific notation.
ED

right, so the power of ten is −6.

• The decimal point has moved 6 spaces to the
CT

13.6.3 Significant figures

E

eles-xxxx
Significant figures are a method of indicating the precision of a measurement. The more significant figures a
RR

number has, the more precise the measurement. The words significant figures are sometimes abbreviated
to sig. figs.
CO

Rules for significant figures

1. All non-zero digits are significant.
For example, the number 513 has 3 significant figures.
N

2. Any zeros between two significant figures are significant.

U

For example, the zeros in the following numbers are all significant: 602, 1.5003, 600.1, 100.000 02
3. Any zeros that are not between significant figures in a whole number are not significant.
For example, the zeros in the following numbers are not significant: 50 000, 30, 3510
4. Zeros following the last significant figure in the decimal portion of a number are significant.
For example, the zeros in the following numbers are significant: 52.0030, 60.010 500, 0.340 00

TOPIC 13 Practicalities of measurement 35

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5. Zeros preceding the first significant figure in the decimal portion of a number are not significant.
The zeros in the following numbers are not significant: 0.000 08, 0.00 780
6. Zeros in the decimal portion of a number that have no significant figures following them are
significant, and therefore the zeros at the end of the whole number become significant, if they are
present.
Some examples include: 80.000, 8.0, 7080.00

FS
Scientific notation and rounding
If a number is expressed using scientific notation (a × 10n ), then all the digits in a are significant as shown on the
chart below.

O
3.456 × 10
Number Scientific notation Significant figures

O
3.456 × 10
1
34.56 4

PR
3.46 × 10
0
3.456 4

3.46 × 10
2
346 3

3.46 × 10
3
3460 3

E
3.4 × 10
5
346 000 3
−3

3.4 × 10 3.4 × 10

G
0.0034 2
4 4
2
PA
When working with significant figures in Maths or Science, do not round off to the required number of
significant figures until the final answer.
When writing a number to a specified number of significant figures, the smallest significant digit may need to be
ED

rounded, depending on the value of the next digit. For example:

• 7.59 is written as 7.6, correct to 2 significant figures.
CT

• 7.54 is written as 7.5, correct to 2 significant figures.

E

WORKED EXAMPLE 17 Writing significant figures

RR

Convert the following measurements as specified, and then write the measurements correct to the
number of significant figures indicated in brackets.
a. 0.000 078 1 cm to mm (2 significant figures)
CO

b. 550 900 g to kg (3 significant figures)

c. 80.4586 s to min (4 significant figures)

a. • 10 mm = 1 cm a. 0.000 078 1 cm = (0.000 078 1 × 10) mm

THINK WRITE
N

= 0.000 781 mm
0.000 781 mm = 0.000 78 mm (2 sig. figs.)
• To convert from cm to mm, multiply by 10.
U

• All of the non-zero digits in the number are

significant; however, the three zeros to the
right of the decimal point are not significant.
• The second significant digit (8) will not need
to be rounded, as 1 is less than 5.

36 Jacaranda Maths Quest 12 Foundation Mathematics VCE Units 3 & 4 First Edition
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b. • 1000 g = 1 kg b. 550 900 g = (550 900 ÷ 10) kg

= 550.900 kg
550.990 kg = 551 kg (3 sig. figs.)
• To convert from g to kg, divide by 1000.
• All of the digits in the number are significant;
however we only need 3 significant figures, so
these are the first three digits.
• 0 to the left of the decimal point will need to
be rounded up to 1 because of the following 9.

c. • 1 min = 60 s c. 80.4586 s = (80.4586 ÷ 60) min

FS
= 1.34097... min
1.304 097... min = 1.3041 min (4 sig. figs.)
• To convert from seconds to minutes, divide
by 60.

O
• All the digits are significant; however we only
need the first 4 significant figures, so these are

O
the first 4 digits.
• The fourth significant digit (4) will not need to

PR
be rounded, as 0 is less than 5.

E
Resources
Resourceseses

G
Interactivity Scientific notation (int-6456)
PA
13.6 Exercise
ED

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CT

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d. −0.0067
1. WE14 Write the following numbers using scientific notation.
RR

a. 47.2 b. 3890 c. 0.56 e. 34 000 000

a. 4.8 × 10−2 b. 7.6 × 103 c. 2.9 × 10−4 d. 8.1 × 100

2. WE15 Write the following numbers as basic numerals.
CO

3. State which number(s) are not written in scientific notation.

a. 10.75 × 107 b. 3.54 × 10−3 c. 0.0091 × 104 d. 7.23 × 10 2

1
N

0.000 000 51 ≥ 5.1 × 10−6

4. For each of the following, state whether they’re True or False.

3.158 400 × 107 < 3 158 400

U

a.

2.000 000 058 × 109 = 2 000 000 058

b.

3.51 × 104 ≥ 3.502 × 104

c.
d.

A. 67 × 10−5 B. 0.67 × 10−3 C. 6.7 × 10−4 D. 6.7 × 10−5 E. 0.67 × 10−4

5. MC 0.000 67 written using scientific notation is:

TOPIC 13 Practicalities of measurement 37

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6. WE16 a. The nearest black hole to the Earth is thought to be only 1600 light-years away, which is equal to
15 137 000 000 000 000 km. Use scientific notation to express this distance.
b. The radius of an electron is 0.000 000 000 000 002 82 m. Use scientific notation to express this size.

7. Scientists used Earth’s gravitational pull on nearby celestial bodies (such as the Moon) to calculate the mass
of the Earth at approximately 5.972 sextillion metric tons.

FS
O
O
PR
5 972 000 000 000 000 000 000
metric tons

E
a. Write 5.972 sextillion using scientific notation.

G
b. State how many significant figures this number has.
PA
8. Write the following numbers correct to the number of significant figures specified in brackets.
a. 0.057 89 (2 significant figures)
b. 0.050 58 (3 significant figures)

2.978 582 × 10−17 (1 significant figures)

c. 55 830.000 01 (4 significant figures)
ED

d.
e. 138 000 (5 significant figures)
f. 1.054 (2 significant figures)
CT

9. WE17 Convert the following measurements as specified, and then write the measurements correct to the
number of significant figures indicated in brackets.
a. 1200 cm to m (3 significant figures)
E

b. 6.7481 kg to g (4 significant figures)

RR

c. 0.000 08 h to min (3 significant figures)

d. 80.26 days to hours (4 significant figures)
e. 51 kg to g (1 significant figure)
CO

f. 5.025 mm to m (2 significant figures)

10. MC Select the measurement that is the most accurate. (Hint: Count the number of significant figures.)
A. 2.5 m B. 2.51 m C. 2.059 m D. 2.5000 m E. 2.005 m
N

11. MC Select the measurement that is the most accurate. (Hint: First convert measurements to grams, then

count the number of significant figures.)

U

A. 0.54 kg B. 500 g C. 501.0 g D. 0.541 kg E. 530 g

4793 = 4.793 × 10n

12. State the value of n in each of the following expressions.

0.631 = 6.31 × 10n

a.

134 = 1.34 × 10n

b.

0.000 56 = 5.6 × 10n

c.
d.

38 Jacaranda Maths Quest 12 Foundation Mathematics VCE Units 3 & 4 First Edition
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a. 3.005 × 10−7 d. 3.00 × 10−7

13. State how many significant figures each of these numbers has.
b. 3.005 c. 4000

9.109 381 88 × 10−31 kg correct to 9 significant figures.

14. An atom consists of smaller particles called protons, neutrons and electrons. Electrons have a mass of

FS
O
O
PR
a. Write the mass of an electron correct to 5 significant figures.

E
b. Protons and neutrons are the same size. They are both 1836 times the size of an electron. Use the original

G
mass of an electron (correct to 9 sig. figs.) and your calculator to calculate the mass of a proton correct to
5 significant figures.
PA
c. Use the mass of an electron correct to 3 significant figures to calculate the mass of a proton correct to
5 significant figures.
d. Explain why it is important to work with the original amounts and then round to the specified number of
significant figures at the end of a calculation.
ED

15. Complete the following calculations, writing your answer to the number of significant figures given in the

2.398 m + 3.5 m (2)

brackets.

57.86 cm + 0.157 m (3)

a.
CT

52.89 m − 1.3 × 102 m (2)

b.

10.253 cm × 0.251 m (3)

c.

973.48 m × 3.5 × 103 mm (2)

d.
E

e.
RR

16. Distance is equal to speed multiplied by time.

If we travelled at 100 km/h it would take
approximately 0.44 years to reach the Moon,
CO

89.6 years to reach Mars, 1460 years to reach

Saturn and 6590 years to reach Pluto.
a. Assuming that there are 365 days in a year,
calculate the distance (as a basic numeral)
N

between Earth and:

U

i. the Moon iii. Saturn

ii. Mars iv. Pluto.
b. Write your answers to part a correct to 3
significant figures.
c. Write your answers to part a using scientific
notation correct to 3 significant figures.

TOPIC 13 Practicalities of measurement 39

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13.7 Review
13.7.1 Summary
eles-xxxx
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O
13.7 Exercise

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E
G
Multiple choice
PA
1. The shaded area of the shape shown to 2 decimal places is:
ED

7.2 mm

60°
E CT
RR

A. 162.86 mm2
CO

B. 155.52 mm2
C. 27.14 mm2
D. 135.72 mm2
E. 153.25 mm2
N

2. MC The area of the composite shape shown is closest to:

U

A. 157.856 cm2
B. 225.543 cm2
16.9 cm
C. 218.237 cm2
D. 209.56 cm2
E. 186.64 cm2
12.4 cm

40 Jacaranda Maths Quest 12 Foundation Mathematics VCE Units 3 & 4 First Edition
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3. MC Select the most accurate measurement. (Hint: Count the number of significant figures.)
A. 360.005 m B. 7000 m C. 36.500 m D. 3.71 m E. 0.700 000 0 m

4. MC The measurement marked by the arrow is:

(Use the unit indicated in the brackets.)

0 cm 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(mm)

FS
A. 8 cm B. 8.2 cm C. 8.2 m D. 8.2 mm E. 82 mm

5. MC The number with 4 significant figures is:

O
A resistor for an electrical circuit has a reading of 200 ± 10Ω. The tolerance for this resistor is:
A. 0.4 B. 3.023 C. 4.84 D. 0.0003 E. 0.0024

A. ± 200Ω B. ± 2Ω C. ± 20Ω D. ± 10Ω E. ± 100Ω

O
6. MC

PR
7. MC The value of each interval is:
5 6

E
A. 0.1 B. 1 C. 5 D. 6 E. 0.5

G
8. MC The total surface area of the following shape is closest to:
PA
A. 0.78 m2
B. 7804.84 cm2 86 cm
C. 649.28 cm2
D. 0.65 m2
ED

E. 0.56 m2 134 mm

9. MC A cube of length 18 cm has a hole with a 6-cm diameter drilled through its centre. The total surface area
of the new shape is closest to:
CT

A. 1866.32 cm2 B. 1548.16 cm2 C. 2226.74 cm2 D. 1944 cm2 E. 2144.36 cm2

10. MC The total surface area of a sphere with a diameter of 5.35 m, to 2 decimal places, is closest to:
E

A. 359.68 m2
B. 22.48 m2
RR

C. 89.92 m2
D. 33.62 m2
E. 76.92 m2
CO

Short answer
11. Calculate the area of the following shape to 3 decimal places.
N

19.7 m
U

12.3 m

21.5 m

TOPIC 13 Practicalities of measurement 41

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12. Calculate the total surface area of each of the following shapes to 1 decimal place.
a. b.

80 cm

150 cm

25 cm
70 cm

FS
30 cm

13. If a rectangular prism can be made from the following net, calculate:

O
a. the perimeter of the net

O
b. the total surface area of the prism.

PR
0.6 m

E
2m

G
PA
60 cm
2m
ED

14. An Olympic swimming pool is 50 metres long, 25 metres wide and 1.8 metres deep.
E CT
RR
CO

a. If Haylee swam 25 laps of the pool, calculate how many metres she swam.
b. If you were to swim the 400-metre medley, determine how many laps you would swim.
c. If you were to swim the longest Olympic pool event of 1500 metres, determine how many laps you would
complete.
N

d. Determine the surface area of the pool in m2 .

e. Determine the surface area of the pool in cm2 .
U

15. A tin contains four tennis balls, each with a diameter of 6.3 cm. The tin has a height of 27.2 cm and a
diameter of 73 mm.
a. Determine the circumference of the lid.
b. Calculate the total surface area of the tin.
c. Calculate the total surface area of the four tennis balls.
d. Determine the difference between the total surface area of the four balls and that of the tin.

42 Jacaranda Maths Quest 12 Foundation Mathematics VCE Units 3 & 4 First Edition
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16. Match the appropriate length, weight or volume measurement with the following pictures.
(mm, cm, m, km), (mL, L), (g, kg)
a. b. c.

FS
(mm, cm, m, km) (g, kg) (mL, L)
Extended response
17. A speedometer in a car has markings every 5 km/h.

O
a. State the limit of accuracy.

O
b. If the speedometer indicated 55 km/h, state what range the
speed could actually lie within.

PR
18. Express the following numbers in scientific notation.
a. 389 670 000 b. 0.004 860 3 c. 406 009 437
d. 0.000 000 100 e. 0.3750 f. 100 300 000 000

E
G
PA
19. Five students measured the length of a 42.7-m netball court. Complete the following table to determine
which student had the most accurate answer. Round your answers to 4 decimal places where necessary.
ED

Student Measurement Error Absolute error Absolute relative error

A 44.8 m 2.1 m 2.1 m 0.0492
B 41.9 m
CT

−0.7 m
C 43.7 m
D 42.0 m 0.7 m
E

E 43.3 m
RR

20. Nathan, a carpenter, tells his apprentice to build a rectangular prism with the dimensions as shown.
CO

10 m
N

5m
7m
U

b. If the length of the prism is measured incorrectly (an error of +1 m), determine what happens to the
a. Calculate the correct volume of the prism.

c. Calculate the error in volume, assuming he made +1 m errors on all three measurements.
overall volume and calculate the new incorrect volume.

d. State why the error is above 3 m3 , when the apprentice only made a +1 m error on each measurement.

TOPIC 13 Practicalities of measurement 43

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e. If the apprentice made a +1 m error on the height dimension and a –1 m error on the width dimension,
determine if the two errors would affect the original volume. Give the new volume.

(to 2 decimal places) for the prism assuming the apprentice made a +1 m error on each dimension.
f. Calculate the absolute error, absolute relative error (to 4 decimal places) and the absolute percentage error

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O
PR
E
G
PA
ED
E CT
RR
CO
N
U

44 Jacaranda Maths Quest 12 Foundation Mathematics VCE Units 3 & 4 First Edition
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Answers 23. The distance from Melbourne to Perth is approximately

2721 km. Large distances are not easy to comprehend in
mm, so we use the largest length measurement (km) to
Topic 13 Practicalities of express long distances.
measurement 24. a. 20 000 L b. 2.584 m
3

13.2 Units of measurement

13.3 Areas of composite figures
13.2 Exercise
13.3 Exercise
1. a. 2 cm b. 95 mm c. 64 mm d. 9.9 cm
1. a. Parallelogram and semicircle

FS
2. a. 5.6 km b. 210 mm c. 55 000 m
Square and four semicircles
b.
d. 220 cm e. 3.5 m f. 2.5 cm
c. Trapezium and rectangle
3. a. 165 m b. 7.8 m c. 15.8 cm
d. Triangle and semicircle

O
d. 0.013 km e. 125 000 cm f. 36 m 2
2. 120 cm
4. a. 0.056 32 km b. 2.0431 km 2
3. 23.03 cm

O
c. 550 000 cm d. 2200 mm 2 2
e. 0.35 km f. 0.25 m 4. a. 48 m b. 154 mm
2 2
c. 272 cm d. 384 mm

0.786 km, 0.786 mm = 0.000 786 m = 0.0786 cm

PR
5. a. 89 000 cm, 0.3217 km, 98 760 mm, 7.825 m
b. 5. a. 29.225 cm2 b. 25.63 cm2
c. 756 m2 d. 42 651.41 mm2
6. a. 2400 cm, 135 m, 0.15 km
b. 120 mm, 25 cm, 0.5 m 6. a. 40.18 mm2 b. 31.49 cm2

E
c. 9 m, 10 000 mm, 0.45 km 7. a. 360 cm2
2
d. 32 000 cm, 1 km, 1200 m b. 360 cm

G
e. All values are equal. c. They are the same as you would expect.
f. 825 m, 90 000 cm, 8.25 km 8. 9600 mm2
PA
7. a. 6.5 cm b. 152 cm 9. 156 cm2
c. 265.5 cm d. 96.27 cm 10. 109.87 cm2
2
8. a. 52.1 cm b. 90.105 km 11. a. 4560 cm

c. Need 1 litre of paint so it will cost $24.95.

c. 60.5 cm d. 106.73 m b. 3.488 m
2
ED

9. a. litres b. millimetres
10. a. grams b. kilograms c. milligrams 12. 28.54 cm2
2 2 2
11. B 13. a. 2025 cm b. 943.41 cm c. 6031.59 cm
CT

12. a. 2.5 L b. 3000 mL 14. a. 3279.82 cm2 b. 96.10 cm2

c. 0.0031 L d. 5250 mL 15. 113.10 cm2
e. 7500 mL f. 0.003 75 L 2
16. a. 84.82 cm b. 99.53 m2
E

13. a. 0.000 024 t, 400 000 mg, 2.4 kg, 2500 g

Small = 314.16 cm2 ; medium = 706.86 cm2 ;

17. B
b. 0.05 kg, 52 000 mg, 54 g, 0.0005 t
RR

large = 1256.64 cm2

18. a.
14. a. False b. False
c. True d. False
b. 113 883 cm2
15. a. 505 000 mg b. 0.0045 g 157.08 cm2
CO

c.
c. 6400 g d. 5.84 kg
19. a. 6800 m2
e. 0.075 821 kg f. 70 mg

$35 700
b. 3400 sheets of turf
16. a. second b. years c. hours
c.
d. day e. minutes f. weeks
N

d. $17 674.75
20. a. 465.125 m2 b. 2774 m
2
17. a. 250 years, 1.5 centuries, 500 months, 2 decades
c. 1860.5 m2
b. 0.1 weeks, 0.56 days, 12.6 hours, 750 minutes,
U

4250 seconds
13.4 Surface areas of pyramids and irregular
18. a. 45 years b. 82.5 decades
solids
c. 340 years d. 4.85 centuries
e. 50 decades f. 12 centuries 13.4 Exercise
19. a. 4 min b. 312 s c. 276 min 1. 31.67 m2
d. 5.33 h e. 8.33 h f. 73 080 s 2. 2454.21 mm
2

20. B 3. a. 125.66 cm
2
b. 220.35 m2
21. D
4. 354.39 cm2
22. A

TOPIC 13 Practicalities of measurement 45

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Error = 5 m
Absolute error = 5 m
5. 541.01 cm2 12. a.

Absolute relative error = 0.02

2
6. a. 261.91 cm b. 179.97 m2

Absolute percentage error = 2%

7. 132.58 cm2
b. Error = −7 cm
1367.60 cm2
Absolute error = 7 cm
8.

Absolute relative error = 0.07

9. 344.3 cm2

Absolute percentage error = 7%

10. 3552.95 mm2

c. Error = 1.5 mm
11. 791.68 cm2

Absolute error = 1.5 mm

12. 1357.17 cm2

Absolute relative error = 0.08

2
13. a. 2324.78 cm b. 10.65 m2

FS
326.73 cm2 Absolute percentage error = 8%
d. Error = −12 s
14.

Absolute error = 12 s
2
15. 20.30 m

O
Absolute relative error = 0.2
2
16. 1513.36 cm

13.5 Limits of accuracy Absolute percentage error = 20%

e. Error = 0.1 kg

O
Absolute error = 0.1 kg
13.5 Exercise
5 °C Absolute relative error = 0.08

PR
Between 175 °C and 185 °C Absolute percentage error = 8%
1. a. i.

f. Error = −150 mL
ii.

Absolute error = 150 mL

b. i. 2.5 km/h

Absolute relative error = 0.17

ii. Between 47.5 km/h and 52.5 km/h

E
Absolute percentage error = 17%
1
c. i. cup
Error = −$2
4

G
Absolute percentage error = 2%
3 1 13.
ii. Between 6 cups and 7 cups
PA
4 4
d. i. 5° 14. a. 0.5 mm (half of the smallest unit)
ii. Between 205° and 215° b. 22.5 mm and 23.5 mm
2. a. 58 mm b. 11.5 cm 15. The approximations can always be more exact by measuring
3. a. Between 4.5 cm and 5.5 cm to smaller and smaller increments toward infinity. There is
ED

no smallest increment.
b. Between 11.5 cm and 12.5 cm
16. The 4-km measurement is accurate to the km, while the
c. Between 99.5 cm and 100.5 cm
4.000-km measurement is accurate to the thousandth of
d. Between 849.5 cm and 850.5 cm a km.
CT

e. Between 4.995 m and 5.005 m 17. a. Statistically there is very little difference between the two

b. Mother’s measurements = 11.96% ± 9.48

f. Between 2.495 m and 2.505 m methods.

c. Ultrasound = 9.036% ± 7.61

4. a. Between 28.5 cm and 29.5 cm
E

b. Between 245 g and 255 g

RR

c. Between 7.5 mL and 12.5 mL 18. a. The time, whether it is behind or ahead, does not affect
d. Between 29.5 min and 30.5 min the significance of the accuracy of synchronisation,
5. E because the absolute error calculation forces them to
6. C
be equal.
CO

b. The absolute percentage error would be very small and

7. a. 3520 cm (accurate to cm)
therefore insignificant.
b. 130 cm (accurate to cm)
c. The absolute percentage error would be large and
c. 1000 m (accurate to m)
therefore significant.
N

d. 80 mm (accurate to mm)
e. 5000 mm (accurate to mm) 13.6 Scientific notation and significant figures

b. −1.7 cm
U

f. 2520 m (accurate to m)
13.6 Exercise
d. −1.1 mm 4.72 × 101 3.890 × 103 5.6 × 10−1
8. a. 0.6 cm

−6.7 × 10−3 3.4 × 107

c. 22 km 1. a. b. c.
d. e.
9. a. 15 cm
No, the error is only 1% of the advertised size.
b. 2. a. 0.048 b. 7600
c. 0.000 29 d. 8.1
10. a. 0.15 km b. 4 g
c. 23 min d. 7 L 3. a, c and d
11. 161 or 169 cm 4. a. False b. False
c. True d. True

46 Jacaranda Maths Quest 12 Foundation Mathematics VCE Units 3 & 4 First Edition
 “c13PracticalitiesOfMeasurement_PrintPDF” — 2022/6/24 — 7:07 — page 47 — #47

1.5137 × 1016 km 2.82 × 10−15 m

5. C Short answer
6. a. b. 11. 312.791 m2

a. 5.972 × 10
7. Sextillions have 21 zeros. 12. a. 11105.53 cm2 b. 57 805.30 cm2
21
13. a. 16.8 m b. 12.8 m2
b. 4 significant figures
14. a. 1250 m
d. 3 × 10
−17
8. a. 0.058 b. 0.0506
8 laps
b.
c. 55 830
e. 138 000.00 f. 1.1 c. 30 laps
2
d. 1520 m
9. a. 12.0 m b. 6748 g
2

FS
c. 0.004 80 min d. 1926 hrs e. 15 200 000 cm
e. 50 000 g f. 0.0050 m 15. a. 22.93 cm
2
10. D b. 707.50 cm

−1 −4

O
2
11. C c. 498.76 cm
2
12. a. 3 b. c. 2 d. d. 208.74 cm

O
4 4 1 3 16. a. metres or b. kilograms c. litres
9.1094 × 10
14. a. b. c. d.
−31 kilometres

1.6725 × 10
kg
−27
13. a.

PR
1.6726 × 10−27 kg
b. kg Extended response
c.
17. a. 2.5 km/h
d. Working with the original amounts and not rounding
18. a. 3.8967 × 10 b. 4.8603 × 10
Between 52.5 km/h and 57.5 km/h
−3
b.
before the final calculation ensures that the answer will
c. 4.060 094 37 × 10 d. 1.00 × 10
8
−7

E
be more precise.
e. 3.750 × 10 f. 1.003 × 10
8
15. a. 5.9 m −1

G
11

−77 m
b. 73.6 cm 19.
Absolute
c.
PA
Absolute relative
d. 257 cm2 Student Measurement Error error error
e. 3400 m2
−0.8 m
A 44.8 m 2.1 m 2.1 m 0.0492
16. a. i. 385 440 km
B 41.9 m 0.8 m 0.0187
ED

ii. 78 489 600 km

−0.7 m
C 43.7 m 1m 1m 0.0234
iii. 1 278 960 000 km D 42.0 m 0.7 m 0.0164
iv. 138 548 160 000 km E 43.3 m 0.6 m 0.6 m 0.0141
b. i. 385 000 km
CT

Student E has the most accurate answer. This is determined

ii. 78 500 000 km
by finding the student who has the smallest absolute relative
iii. 1 280 000 000 km error.

i. 3.85 × 10
iv. 139 000 000 000 km 20. a. 350 m
3
E

ii. 7.85 × 10
5
c. b. 400 m
3

iii. 1.28 × 10
RR

7
3
c. 178 m

iv. 1.39 × 10
9
d. The volume equation requires multiplication, not
11
addition.
CO

e. Yes
13.7 Review
f. 50.86%
Multiple choice
1. D
N

2. A
3. E
U

4. E
5. B
6. D
7. A
8. D
9. C
10. C

TOPIC 13 Practicalities of measurement 47

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FS
O
O
PR
E
G
PA
ED
E CT
RR
CO
N
U