Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Mathematics (5733)Number and QuantityMedium
A quality control specialist is checking the weight of packages. The ideal weight is 16 ounces. Any package that deviates by more than 0.75 ounces from the ideal weight is rejected. Which of the following package weights would be rejected?
- A16.80 ounces
- B15.30 ounces
- C16.70 ounces
- D15.40 ounces
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 16.80 ounces
The acceptable range for package weight is 16 - 0.75 = 15.25 ounces to 16 + 0.75 = 16.75 ounces. A package is rejected if its weight is less than 15.25 ounces or greater than 16.75 ounces. - A) 15.30 ounces is within the range (15.25 to 16.75). - B) 15.40 ounces is within the range. - C) 16.70 ounces is within the range. - D) 16.80 ounces is greater than 16.75 ounces, so it would be rejected.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. This weight is within the acceptable range (15.25 to 16.75 ounces), so it would not be rejected.
- C. This weight is within the acceptable range, so it would not be rejected.
- D. This weight is within the acceptable range, so it would not be rejected.
Tolerance and Range (Absolute Value Concept)
Tolerance defines an acceptable deviation from an ideal value. A quantity is within tolerance if its absolute difference from the ideal value is less than or equal to the specified tolerance. Outside tolerance means rejection.
- Tolerance creates an upper and lower bound.
- Upper Bound = Ideal + Tolerance.
- Lower Bound = Ideal - Tolerance.
- Values outside this range are rejected.
Memory trick: Ideal plus/minus tolerance, defines the acceptance fence!