Why every measurement you take is technically a range of numbers
In short: In science and math, no measurement is perfectly exact. This video explains the concept of bounds—the hidden limits of accuracy that define the smallest and largest possible values for any rounded figure.
Because all measurements are approximate, they are typically rounded to the nearest practical unit, such as a millimeter or a gram. This rounding creates a range of possible values rather than a single point. The largest possible value in that range is the upper bound, while the smallest is the lower bound.
The video demonstrates a reliable method for calculating these limits: take half of the degree of accuracy and either add or subtract it from the rounded value. This technique applies whether a number was rounded to a specific unit, a set of decimal places, or a specific number of significant figures.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Upper & Lower Bounds | Number | Maths | FuseSchool
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