Scientists use math skills in collecting data and making measurements.

What mathematical operation do you use in finding the volume of a regular solid? What mathematical operation do you use in determining the density of an object?

Science Standard 8.9.b: Evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of data.

estimate: an approximation of a number based on reasonable assumptions. accuracy: how close a measurement is to the true or actual value. reproducibility: how close a group of measurements are to each other.

significant figures: all of the digits that have been measured exactly, plus one digit whose value has been estimated. precision: a measure of the exactness of a measurement.

Scientists must sometimes rely on estimates when they cannot obtain exact numbers.

Accurate Not Reproducible Accurate Not Reproducible Not Accurate Not Reproducible Not Accurate Not Reproducible Not Accurate Reproducible Not Accurate Reproducible Accurate Reproducible Accurate Reproducible

To ensure accuracy, you need to make your measurements carefully using the appropriate instruments. To ensure reproducibility, you need to repeat the measurement a few times.

Scientists use significant figures to express precision in their measurements and calculations.

When adding or subtracting, the answer should have the same number of decimal places as the measurement with the least number of decimal places. 5.3 cm (1 decimal place) cm (2 decimal places) cm = 27.2 cm (1 decimal place)

When multiplying or dividing measurements, the answer should have the same number of significant figures as the measurement with the least number of significant figures m (3 significant figures) x 3 m (1 significant figure) 6.75 m 2 = 7 m 2 (1 significant figure)

What is the area of a ticket stub that measures 3.5 cm by 2.2 cm? 7.7 cm 2 Find the area of a rug that is 5.0 by 3.0? 15 cm 2

HOMEWORK EXTENSION  Write a detailed SUMMARY of the section and complete the UNANSWERED QUESTIONS section of your notes.  Choose two of the remaining Depth & Complexity ICONS in your notes and explain how they relate to this section.