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S8 Measures
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Contents
S8 Measures
AS8.1 Converting units
A S8.2 Accuracy in measurement
A S8.3 Calculations involving bounds
A S8.4 Compound measures
A S8.5 Bearings
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Converting units
It is important to be able to convert between a variety of
units quickly and accurately.
1) When using a formula
For example, if we are using a formula to find the volume
of an object we must make sure that all the lengths are
written using the same units before using the formula.
2) When comparing measurements
For example, suppose one mother gives the weight of her
baby in pounds and another mother gives the weight of her
baby in kilograms.
How
To
compare
can we the
compare
weights
thewe
babies
convert
weights?
them to the same unit.
We usually use metric units for calculations.
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Metric units
The metric system of measurement is based on powers of
ten and uses the following prefixes:
KiloCentiMilliMicro-
Mass
1 km = 1000 m
1 tonne = 1000 kg
1 m = 100 cm
1 kg = 1000 g
1 m = 1000 mm
1 g = 1000 mg
1 cm = 10 mm
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Capacity and
Volume
1 litre = 1000 ml
1 cl = 10 ml
1 m3 = 1000 litres
1 cm3 = 1 ml
1 cm2 = 10 mm 10 mm
1 m2 = 10,000 cm2
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Ordering units
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Imperial units
Imperial units are still frequently used and you should be
aware of the following imperial conversions:
1 foot = ___
12 inches
1 yard = ___
3 feet
1 pound = ___
16 ounces
1 stone = ___
14 pounds
1 gallon = ___
8 pints
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Spider diagram
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Contents
S8 Measures
A S8.1 Converting units
A S8.2 Accuracy in measurement
A S8.3 Calculations involving bounds
A S8.4 Compound measures
A S8.5 Bearings
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Continuous measurements
The continuous nature of measurements means that they
can never be exact. There is always an element of
rounding involved.
If we were measuring the length of a pencil, for example, we
would measure to the nearest cm or mm.
These three pencils all measure 14 cm to the nearest cm:
13
14
15
13
14
15
13
14
15
Accuracy in measurement
Remember, any measurement given to the nearest whole
unit could be up to half a unit longer or shorter.
Suppose we are told that a pencil measures 14.2 cm.
Can we assume that this measurement is exact?
No, although this measurement has been given to a higher
degree of accuracy it is not exact.
What is the shortest and longest length it could be?
The length l of a pencil given as 14.2 cm, to the nearest 0.1
cm, could be anywhere in the range
14.15 cm l < 14.25 cm
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This is an
inequality
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Contents
S8 Measures
A S8.1 Converting units
A S8.2 Accuracy in measurement
A S8.3 Calculations involving bounds
A S8.4 Compound measures
A S8.5 Bearings
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Adding measures
The following triangle has sides of length 3 cm, 4 cm and 5 cm.
3 cm
5 cm
4 cm
The least the lengths could be is 2.5 cm, 3.5 cm and 4.5 cm.
The smallest possible perimeter = 2.5 + 3.5 + 4.5 = 10.5 cm
The most the lengths could be is 3.5 cm, 4.5 cm and 5.5 cm.
The largest possible perimeter = 3.5 + 4.5 + 5.5 = 13.5 cm
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Adding measures
The following triangle has sides of length 3 cm, 4 cm and 5 cm.
3 cm
5 cm
4 cm
The range of possible values for the perimeter is
10.5 cm perimeter < 13.5 cm
Notice that the more lengths that are added together the
greater the error on either side.
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Adding measures
When a calculation involves adding two or more
measurements together:
The lower bound is found by
adding the lower bounds together
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78
Subtracting measures
When a calculation involves subtracting two measurements:
The lower bound is found by:
subtracting the upper bound from the lower bound
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Multiplying measures
When a calculation involves multiplying two or more
measurements together:
The lower bound is found by:
multiplying the lower bounds together
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Dividing measures
When a calculation involves dividing two measurements:
The lower bound is found by:
dividing the lower bound by the upper bound
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Contents
S8 Measures
A S8.1 Converting units
A S8.2 Accuracy in measurement
A S8.3 Calculations involving bounds
A S8.4 Compound measures
A S8.5 Bearings
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Compound measures
Compound measures
Of course, a kilogram of rocks weighs the same as a
kilogram of cotton wool they both weigh one kilogram!
If you thought that the rocks were heavier, you were probably
thinking of their density rather than their weight.
Density is an example of a compound measure.
It is a measure of the mass of an object per unit volume.
Density is usually measured in g/cm3 or kg/m3. It can also
be measured in kg/l.
A density of 1.2 g/cm3 means that every 1 cm3 of the material
has a mass of 1.2 grams.
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Compound measures
Which is heavier: 1 cm3 of cotton wool or 1 cm3 of rock?
This is a more sensible question. Rock is denser than cotton
wool and so 1 cm3 of rock is heavier than 1 cm3 of cotton wool.
We can find the density of a given material using the
following formula:
mass
Density =
volume
For example, if a block of metal has a mass of 760 g and a
volume of 80 cm3:
Density =
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760
= 9.5 g/cm3
80
Boardworks Ltd 2005
Compound measures
We use compound measures when we are comparing how
one measurement changes with another.
When one measurement changes in direct proportion with
another it is said to change at a constant rate.
For example, suppose a man is running around a race track.
The total distance he has run changes with time.
The rate at which he runs is called his speed.
distance travelled
Speed =
time taken
Speed is usually measured in km/h, m/s or mph.
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Average speed
In many situations the speed is not constant.
For example, the man running around the track will probably
speed up or slow down as he runs.
We can still calculate his average speed using the following
formula:
total distance travelled
Average speed =
total time taken
For example, if the man runs 1560 metres in 300 seconds
1560
Average speed =
= 5.2 m/s
300
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mass
volume
Measured in g/cm3,
kg/m3 or kg/l.
Speed
distance
time
Pressure
force
surface area
Measured in N/m2 or
N/cm2.
Fuel consumption
distance
volume
Measured in km/l or
mpg.
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Calculating densities
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Contents
S8 Measures
A S8.1 Converting units
A S8.2 Accuracy in measurement
A S8.3 Calculations involving bounds
A S8.4 Compound measures
A S8.5 Bearings
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Bearings
Bearings are a measure of direction taken from North.
If you were travelling North you would be travelling on a
bearing of 000.
If you were travelling from the point P in the direction
shown by the arrow then you would be travelling on a
bearing of 075.
000.
N
75
P
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Compass points
000
N
315
NW
045
NE
270 W
E 090
SW
225
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SE
S
180
135
Measuring bearings
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Back bearings
The bearing from point A to point B is 105.
What is the bearing from point B to point A?
N
N
A
105
?
105
B
180
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