How to determine the uncertainty of a measurement? Let's suppose the measurement is 1.5E+4, what is the range where the measurement could be found?

Question

turingtest · Answer

$$1.5\times10^4=15000$$
so it looks like our measurement does not specify the 100's place. Our measurement could therefor be off by$$ \pm500=\pm5\times10^2 $$in general the uncertainty of a measurement is given by + or - 5 times whatever factor is unspecified in our measurement. In the above case the factor is $$100=10^2$$

anonymous · Answer

I see, thanks for the detailed explanation. In the case of 1.50E+4, the hundred's place is specified, so it would have an uncertainty of $$\pm50$$

turingtest · Answer

exactly :)