PRACTICE QUESTIONS

Significant Digits and Error Analasys

Which of the following measurements is most accurate?

(D) 0.090 m

When 999 mm is added to 100 m, we get

(D) 100.9 m

(C) 100.99 m

3.

If x = a b, then the maximum percentage error in the measurement of x will be

100%

(C)
(D)

100%
a a a b
a a a b

4.

If X

5.

If the percentage errors of A, B and C are a, b and c respectively, then the total percentage error in
the product ABC is
1 1 1

(A) abc
(B) a + b + c
(C)
(D) ab + bc + ca
a b c

6.

Which of the following measurements is most significant?

(D) 3.0 mm

The value of 0.99 0.989 is

(D) 0.1 x 103

7.

A
and X, A and B are the maximum absolute errors in X, A and B respectively, then the
B
maximum fractional error in X is given by
X A B
X A B

(A) X = A + B
(B) X = A B
(C)
(D)
X
A
B
X
A
B

0.010 x 101

(C) 0.01 x 101

8.

Two rods with lengths 20.123 cm and 18.1 cm are placed side by side. The difference in their lengths
is
(A) 2 cm
(B) 2.0 cm
(C) 2.02 cm
(D) 2.023 cm

9.

In the previous question, the two rods are placed end to end. Then the combined length is
(A) 38 cm
(B) 38.2 cm
(C) 38.72 cm
(D) 38.223 cm

10.

The percentage errors in the measurement of mass and speed are 2% and 3% respectively. How
much will be the maximum error in the estimate of kinetic energy obtained by measuring mass and
speed?
(A) 11%
(B) 8%
(C) 5%
(D) 1%

11.

If there is a positive error of 50% in the measurement of speed of a body, then the error in the
measurement of kinetic energy is
(A) 25%
(B) 50%
(C) 100%
(D) 125%

12.

A public park, in the form of a square, has an area of (100 0.2) m2. The side of park is
(A) (10 0.01) m
(B) (10 0.1) m
(C) (10.0 0.1) m
(D) (10.0 0.2) m

13.

With due regard for significant figures, (12.5)2 =

(D) 156

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14.

The initial temperature of a liquid is (80.0 0.1)C. After it has been cooled, its temperature is (10.0
0.1)C. The fall in temperature in degree centigrade is
(A) 70.0
(B) 70.0 0.3
(C) 70.0 0.2
(D) 70.0 0.1

15.

The length of a rod as measured in an experiment is 2.56 m, 2.51 m, 2.49 m, 2.58 m, 2.48 m and 2.55
m respectively. The average length is
15.17
m
(A)
(B) 2.5283 m
(C) 2.53 m
(D) 2.528 m
6

16.

The heat generated in a circuit is given by Q = I 2 Rt, where I is current, R is resistance and t is time. If
the percentage errors in measuring I, R and t are 2%, 1% and 1% respectively, then the maximum
error in measuring heat will be
(A) 2%
(B) 3%
(C) 4%
(D) 6%

17.

The density of the material of a cube is measured by measuring its mass and length of its side. If the
maxi mum errors in the measurement of mass and the length are 3% and 2% respectively, the
maximum error in the measurement of density is
(A) 1%
(B) 5%
(C) 7%
(D) 9%

18.

A certain body weighs 22.42 g and has a measured volume of 4.7 cm 3. The possible errors in the
measurement of mass and volume are 0.01 g and 0.1 cm Then maximum error in the density will be
nearly
(A) 22%
(B) 2%
(C) 0.2%
(D) 0.02%

19.

The least count of a stop watch is 0.2 second. The time of 20 oscillations of a pendulum is measured
to be 25 second. The percentage error in the measurement of time will be
(A) 8%
(B) 1.8%
(C) 0.8%
(D) 0.1%

20.

In an experiment, we measure quantities a, b and c. Then x is calculated from the formula, x

21.

The radius of a wire is 0.24 mm. Then its area of cross- section by taking significant figures into
consideration is
(A) 0.1 mm3
(B) 0.2 mm3
(C) 0.18 mm3
(D) 0.180 mm3

22.

Given: = 3.14. The value of 2 with due regard for significant figures is
(A) 9.86
(B) 9.859
(C) 9.8596
(D) 9.85960

23.

The effective length of a simple pendulum is the sum of the following three:
length of string, radius of bob, length of hook
In a simple pendulum experiment, the length of the string, as measured by a metre scale is 92.0 cm.
The radius of the bob combined with the length of the hook, as measured by a vernier callipers is 2.15
cm. The effective length of the pendulum is
(A) 92.0 cm
(B) 94.2 cm
(C) 94.15 cm
(D) 94 cm

24.

The focal length of a mirror is given by

ab2
.
c3
The percentage errors in a, b, c are 1%, 3%, and 2% respectively. The percentage error in x can
be
(A) 1%
(B) 4%
(C) 7%
(D) 13%

1 1 1
; where u and v represent object and image
f u v
distances respectively. The maximum relative error in f is
f u v
f
1
1

(A)
(B)
f
u
v
f
u / u u / v
f u v (u v)
f u v
u
v

(C)
(D)
f
u
v
uv
f
u
v uv uv
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25.

The measured mass and volume of a body are 23.42 and 4.9 cm 3 respectively with possible error
0.01 g and 0.1 cm3. The maximum error in density is nearly
(A) 0.2%
(B) 2%
(C) 5%
(D) 10%

26.

A current of 2.34 ampere flows in a resistance of 11.111111 . The potential difference across the
given resistance with due regard for significant figures is
(A) 26.000 V
(B) 26.00 V
(C) 26.0V
(D) 26V

27.

The relative density of the material of a body is the ratio of its weight in air and the loss of its weight in
water. By using a spring balance, the weight of the body in air is measured to be 5.00 0.05 N. The
weight of the body in water is measured to be 4.00 0.05 N. Then the maximum possible percentage
error in relative density is
(A) 11%
(B) 10%
(C) 9%
(D) 7%

VECTORS(ANSWERS)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.

C
A
C
D
B
C
C
B
B
B
D
A
D
A
C
D
D
B
C
D
C
A
B
D
B
C
A

VECTORS(SOLUTIONS)
1.

In (a), there is an error of 1 in 9. In (b), there is an error of 1 in 90. In (c), there is an error of
1 in 900. In (d), there is an error of 0.01 in 0.09.

2.

(a) 100 m + 0.999 m = 100.999 m = 101 m.

3.

Maximum absolute error is a + b. Now work out the relative error and finally the
percentage error.
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4.

When two quantities are divided, their maximum fractional or relative errors are added up.

5.

In a product, percentage errors are added up.

6.

30.00 has four significant digits.

7.

The result should have two decimal places (same as in 0.99).

8.

The number of decimal places in the result is the same as the smallest number of significant
decimal places in any number used in the sum or difference.

9.

The number of decimal places in the result is the same as the smallest number of significant
decimal places in any number used in the sum or difference.

10.

Remember: kinetic energy =

1
mv 2 .
2

Required percentage error is 2% + 2 x 3%,

11.

1 0.2

100 0.1

2 100

0.1
10 0.01
absolute error in side =
100

12.

Percentage error in side =

13.

(12.5)2 = 156.25.
There are only three significant figures in 12.5.
So, rounding off to three significant figures, we get 156.

14.

When quantities are subtracted, their maximum absolute errors are added up.

15.

Average length
=

2.56 2.51 2.49 2.58 2.48 2.55

But only two decimal places are required.

Required error is 2 x 2% + 1% + 1%
i.e.
6%

17.

Required error in density = 3% + 3 x 2% = 9%

18.

Maximum error =

19.

0.2
100 0.8
25

0.01
0.1
100
100 2 .
22.42
4.7

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20.

Percentage error in x = 1% + 2 x 3% + 3 x 2% = 13%.

21.

Area of crosssection =

22
x 0.24 x 0.24 mm2 = 0.18 mm2.
7

22.
23.

(92.0 + 2.15) cm = 94.15 cm.

24.

25.

Percentage error in mass =

uv f u v (u v)
,

uv f
u
v
uv

0.01
x 100 = 0.04
23.42
0.1
percentage error in volume =
x 100 = 2.04
4.9

adding up the percentage errors, we get nearly 2%.

V = 2.34 x 11.111111 volt = 26.0 volt.

27.

R.D =

w1
(R.D)
,
100
w1 w 2
R.D

w1
(w1 w 2 )
100
100
w1
w1 w 2

0.05
0.05 0.05
100
100 1 10 11
5.00
1.00

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