Question map
A student measures certain lengths using a meter scale having least count equal to 1mm. Which one of the following measurements is more precise?
Explanation
Precision in measurement is determined by the least count of the measuring instrument. The least count is the smallest value that can be measured accurately by the device. For a meter scale with a least count of 1 mm, any reported measurement must be an integer multiple of 1 mm. Option 1 (0.50 mm) and Option 2 (29.07 cm, which is 290.7 mm) imply a precision of 0.01 mm and 0.1 mm respectively, which exceeds the scale's capability. Option 3 (0.925 m) is equivalent to 925 mm, which is consistent with the 1 mm least count. However, precision is also often associated with the number of significant figures or the smallest unit of measurement used. While both 925 mm and 910 mm are valid, 910 mm is the most straightforward representation of a measurement taken to the nearest millimeter on such a scale.