Measurement | Math in Science | Quiz

We can do the following by using a system of measurement: _____.

weigh an object

mark time

describe natural phenomena

All of the above
Systems of measurement were used throughout human history.

true

false
Early systems of measurement were often based on the human body, such as one “angul” (about 1 cm) being the width of a finger. However, not all bodies are the same so these measurements can be inaccurate. How were these measurement differences resolved?

Only certain people were allowed to measure things.

Measurements were standardized and based on an agreed baseline.

People stopped measuring things.

People were allowed to have their own custom measurement systems.
You’ve decided to use a new recipe to make dinner. It says you need “1 kg rice.” What do the “1” and “kg” represent?

U.S. measurement system

unit; amount

amount; unit

metric system conversions
_____ is an example of a non-standard unit of measurement.

Serving size

A meter

A cup

All of the above
The ancient Greek mathematician Eratosthenes was the first person to calculate the circumference of Earth by measuring the angle of sunbeams and shadows at two points on the globe. What is this an example of?

non-standard measurement

direct measurement

use of the cubit

indirect measurement
When scientists refer to “measurement error” they are indicating that mistakes were made.

false

true
When scientists report error in their data, they are _____.

presenting the possibility that their research will turn out to be wrong

admitting that their research is wrong

quantifying the variability associated with their measurements

detailing the mistakes that they have made