The usefulness of a mathematical model for predicting may be limited by uncertainties in measurements, or by neglect of some important influences. A very in history or English, there are many acceptable answers. However, this may not be true. As there are many systems of measurement and not all are exact, there may be multiple answers for the same mathematical question. Also, due to all the different systems of measurement like the metric system, the International System of Units, or the system America uses, it is difficult to completely convert each number, as one system may measure it in another way. Plus, within the one system of measurement, there may be different ways of describing the same thing. For example, in the American system, one person may say twelve inches, but another may say one foot. This can also cause some discrepancies.
For example, I recall being a young child and trying to convert centimeters into inches and my teacher told me that that was virtually impossible, as there would be so many decimal points to consider. Therefore, I rounded my answer. Many numbers are rounded or estimated, which makes other numbers inaccurate. Also, due to repeating decimals or decimals that do not end, it is virtually impossible not to round the number, thus making it that more difficult for the number to be completely accurate. Although the numbers may be close to exact, it is virtually impossible for them to be perfectly exact.
Questions to consider:
1. If a system were put in place so that every country had the same measurement system, would this end certain discrepancies?
2. Do rounded or estimated numbers make inaccurate measurements?
3. Is it possible to have a measurement that is always the same, no matter what system is used?
Ms. Schwartz,
ReplyDeleteOnce again, I believe your premise to be correct, but your details a bit sketchy. However, you do comment on the overall gist of the statement, and it is very true that the fact the Imperial system of measurement is maintained whilst IUPAC, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, has adopted the International System of Units for measurement, has lead to many miscommunications of scientific data. If one does not pay attention to the units being utilized, grave errors can occur. This was very informative. I hope your blog continues.
Regards,
Mr. Smith