a digital scale reports 10 kg as weighing 9.998 kg. which of the following is true?
A. the scale is precise but not accurate
B. the scale is both accurate and precise
C. the scale is accurate but not precise
D. the scale is neither precise nor accurate
C. the scale is accurate but not precise
A. the scale is precise but not accurate
To determine the accuracy and precision of the digital scale, we need to understand the meanings of these terms:
Accuracy: Refers to how close the measured value is to the true or accepted value.
Precision: Refers to the consistency and reproducibility of repeated measurements.
In this case, the scale reports 10 kg as weighing 9.998 kg.
Option A: "The scale is precise but not accurate."
To determine if the scale is precise, we need to see if repeated measurements are consistently close to each other. However, we only have one measurement, so we cannot evaluate precision. Additionally, the measured value is not close to the true value, indicating a lack of accuracy. Therefore, option A is not true.
Option B: "The scale is both accurate and precise."
Since the measured value of 9.998 kg is not close to the true value of 10 kg, we can conclude that the scale is not accurate. Hence, option B is not true.
Option C: "The scale is accurate but not precise."
Again, the measured value of 9.998 kg is not close to the true value of 10 kg, indicating a lack of accuracy. Without repeated measurements, we cannot assess precision. Therefore, option C is not true.
Option D: "The scale is neither precise nor accurate."
Since the measured value of 9.998 kg is not close to the true value of 10 kg, the scale is not accurate. Moreover, without repeated measurements, we cannot evaluate precision. Therefore, option D is the correct choice based on the information provided.
To summarize, the correct answer is:
D. The scale is neither precise nor accurate.