Lesson 15
Error Intervals
Lesson Narrative
This lesson is optional. In this lesson, students find and analyze intervals of possible error based on maximum possible errors.
This material gives students a solid foundation for future work in statistics. It is not necessary at this stage to emphasize the idea of a margin of error which defines a range of possible values. It is enough for students to see the values falling into that range, as preparation for future learning.
Learning Goals
Teacher Facing
- Comprehend that manufacturers often define a maximum acceptable percent error for characteristics of their products.
- Determine what information is needed to solve a problem involving percent error. Ask questions to elicit that information.
- Generate values that fall within the acceptable range for a measurement, given a maximum percent error.
Student Facing
Let’s solve more problems about percent error.
Required Materials
Required Preparation
Print and cut cards from the Info Gap: Quality Control activity blackline master. One copy of the blackline master will be used for every 4 students.
Learning Targets
Student Facing
- I can find a range of possible values for a quantity if I know the maximum percent error and the correct value.
CCSS Standards
Addressing
Glossary Entries
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measurement error
Measurement error is the positive difference between a measured amount and the actual amount.
For example, Diego measures a line segment and gets 5.3 cm. The actual length of the segment is really 5.32 cm. The measurement error is 0.02 cm, because \(5.32-5.3=0.02\).
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percent error
Percent error is a way to describe error, expressed as a percentage of the actual amount.
For example, a box is supposed to have 150 folders in it. Clare counts only 147 folders in the box. This is an error of 3 folders. The percent error is 2%, because 3 is 2% of 150.