Topic: Estimation

Error：

max. error 1
 scale interval on the measuring tool
(or max. absolute error) 2

lower limit Measured value  max. error

upper limit Measured value + max. error
range of actual value lower limit  actual value < upper limit
max. error  absolute error 
relative error  or 
measured value  measured value 
percentage error relative error  100%

e.g.1: (a) Round off 819.247 3 to the nearest ten.

(b) Round down 819.247 3 to 1 significant figure.
(c) Round up 819.247 3 to 3 decimal places.
Soln:
(a) 819.247 3 = 820 (correct to the nearest ten)
(b) 819.247 3 = 800 (round down to 1 significant figure)
(c) 819.247 3 = 819.248 (round up to 3 decimal places.)

e.g.2: The length of a stamp is measured as 3.2cm correct to the nearest 0.1 cm.

Max. error
Measured value max. error =  0.1 cm = 0.05 cm

3.1 cm 3.2 cm 3.3 cm

relative error = = 0.015 625
3.15 cm range of actual value 3.25 cm % error = 0.015 625  100% = 1.562 5%
(lower limit) (upper limit)

e.g.3: A bottle of apple juice is termed acceptable if its volume is measured as 200 mL correct to the nearest mL.
(a) Find the least possible volume of an acceptable bottle of apple juice.
(b) Is it possible that the total volume of 120 acceptable bottles of apple juice is measured as 23.8 L correct to the
nearest 0.1 L? Explain your answer.
Soln:
(a) max. error (b) least possible volume of 120 acceptable bottles of apple juice
 0.5mL  199.5 120
 23940mL
least possible volume  23.94L
 200  0.5 ∵ 23.94 L = 23.9 L (correct to the nearest 0.1 L)
 199.5mL ∴ No.

P.1
 Topic: Estimation
e.g.4: In the figure, ABCDE is a five-sided polygonal metal sheet, where all the measurements are correct to
the nearest cm.
E D

8 cm
C
3 cm
A F B
12 cm 4 cm

(a) Find the maximum absolute error of the measurements.

(b) Find the least possible area of the metal sheet.
(c) Can the length of CD be greater than 7.5 cm? Explain your answer.
Soln:
(a) max. absolute error (c) Refer to the figure.
1 E D G
=  1 cm
2
= 0.5 cm 8 cm
C
3 cm
(b) Lower limit of the length of AE A F B

= (8  0.5) cm 12 cm 4 cm

= 7.5 cm Upper limit of the length of BG

Lower limit of the length of AF = (8 + 0.5) cm
= (12  0.5) cm = 8.5 cm
= 11.5 cm Lower limit of the length of BC
Lower limit of the length of BF = (3  0.5) cm
= (4  0.5) cm = 2.5 cm
= 3.5 cm Actual length of CG
Lower limit of the length of BC < (8.5  2.5) cm
= (3  0.5) cm = 6 cm
= 2.5 cm
Upper limit of the length of DG
Least possible area of the metal sheet = (4 + 0.5) cm
= 7.5(11.5)  (2.5  7.5)(3.5) cm2
1 = 4.5 cm
 2  In △CDG, by Pythagoras’ theorem,
2
= 103.75 cm CD2= CG2 + DG2
CD = CG 2  DG 2
< 62  4.52 cm
= 7.5 cm
∴ The length of CD cannot be greater than 7.5 cm.

P.2
 Topic: Estimation
HKDSE:
1. 2013#8

2. 2014#3

3. 2017#9

4. 2018#3

P.3
 Topic: Estimation
HKCEE:
1. 2011#4

2. 2010#8

3. 2009#4

4. 2008#7

5. 2007#10

P.4
 Topic: Estimation
6. 2006#11

Answer:
HKDSE:
1. (a) 99.5g (c) 123.4 (b) 265.4
(b) No 3. (a)195mL (c) 270
2. (a) 200 (b) No
(b) 123 4. (a) 266

HKCEE:
1. (a) 8090 (b) 405.50 (ii) No
(b) 8100 (c) 410 6. (a) 0.5 cm
(c) 8091.190 4. (a) $97 (b) 223 cm2
2. (a) $72 (b) Yes (c) 223  x  270
(b) Yes 5. (a) 4.5cm
3. (a) 406 (b) (i) No

P.5