Question

The ruler measures length to the nearest 0.25 inches. Which is the most appropriate way to report the length using this ruler?

14.25 inches
10 inches
14.2598 inches
14 inches

Answer 1

When using a ruler that measures length to the nearest 0.25 inches, it's important to report the length in a format that reflects this level of precision. This means the reported length should be rounded to the nearest 0.25 inches.

Let's evaluate the options provided:

1. **14.25 inches** - This is already rounded to the nearest 0.25 inches, so it is appropriate.
2. **10 inches** - This is also a whole number, which can be considered rounded to the nearest 0.25 inches (in this case, it rounds to itself). Thus, it is appropriate.
3. **14.2598 inches** - This number is more precise than the ruler's measurement capability (which goes to the nearest 0.25 inches), so it is not appropriate.
4. **14 inches** - Similar to 10 inches, this is a whole number which can also be considered rounded to the nearest 0.25 inches. Therefore, it is appropriate as well.

The most appropriate ways to report the length using this ruler are **14.25 inches**, **10 inches**, and **14 inches**. However, given the context of the options, **14.25 inches** is the best representation of precision as it is specifically within the range of the measurements.