Measure the length of the pencil using the ruler below Make sure ta include units in vour answer: point tid 15.50 in b; 15 50 cm 15 cm
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: 15.50 cm
📏 Explanation: Measuring the Length of a Pencil Using a Ruler
When measuring the length of an object such as a pencil using a ruler, it’s essential to carefully align the pencil with the markings on the ruler and read the measurement precisely. Rulers usually have two scales: one in inches (often marked as “in”) and the other in centimeters (marked as “cm”).
In this case, we are given multiple answer choices:
- a) 15.50 in
- b) 15.50 cm
- c) 15 cm
Let us go step by step.
🧭 Step 1: Understand the Units
- Inches (in) are commonly used in the United States and are a larger unit of length.
- Centimeters (cm) are part of the metric system and are used in most parts of the world.
If the ruler is marked in centimeters, and the measurement ends between the 15 cm and 16 cm marks, and aligns precisely with the halfway tick, then the correct measurement is 15.50 cm, not 15 cm or 15.50 in.
🧪 Step 2: Measuring Precisely
To measure accurately:
- Align one end of the pencil with the zero (0) mark on the ruler.
- Look straight down at the other end of the pencil to see which marking it aligns with.
- If the pencil ends exactly halfway between 15 cm and 16 cm, then it measures 15.50 cm.
- Avoid parallax error by ensuring your eye is directly above the measurement.
✅ Step 3: Why 15.50 cm is Correct
- 15.50 cm is more precise than 15 cm, which would be rounded.
- 15.50 in is incorrect because it would imply the pencil is over 39 cm long (1 inch ≈ 2.54 cm), which is too long for a standard pencil.
📝 Conclusion
Therefore, the correct length of the pencil, based on a ruler marked in centimeters and the position of the pencil, is 15.50 cm. Always include the correct unit to avoid confusion and ensure accuracy in scientific and academic measurements.
