Question

Identifying Proper Units of Measurement

Consider these scenarios.

1. A piano weighs 5.5 × 102 units.

 

2. A grain of salt weighs 1.02 × 10-3 units.

 

3. A tractor trailer weighs 8.8 × 101 units.

Determine the unit of measurement that best represents each scenario.

1. poundsouncestons

 

2.  poundsouncestons

 

3. poundsouncestons

Answer 1

1. pounds — 5.5 × 10^2 = 550, and pianos are commonly a few hundred pounds.
2. ounces — 1.02 × 10^-3 = 0.00102, a very small mass, so ounces (or smaller subdivisions of an ounce) are appropriate.
3. tons — 8.8 × 10^1 = 88, and tractor‑trailers are very heavy so tons is the sensible unit (pounds or ounces would be impractically large numbers).