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Question: The values of a number of quantities are used in a mathematical formula and are having same power. T...

The values of a number of quantities are used in a mathematical formula and are having same power. The quantity that should be most precise and accurate in measurement is the one

A

Having smallest magnitude

B

Having largest magnitude

C

Used in the numerator

D

Used in the denominator

Answer

(1)

Explanation

Solution

The relative error in a result obtained by multiplication or division of quantities raised to the same power is the sum of the relative errors of the individual quantities (multiplied by the power). If the absolute error in measurement is similar for all quantities, the quantity with the smallest magnitude has the largest relative error. This large relative error contributes most significantly to the total relative error of the final result. To minimize the total error, the quantity with the largest relative error (i.e., the one with the smallest magnitude) should be measured with the highest precision and accuracy.

Answer: (1)