ME 236 - Measurements and Engineering Data Analysis
Lab Assignment #1: Introduction to Measurement Practice - PART A
INDIVIDUAL Assignment – NO COLLABORATION
Before you begin this assignment, review the information pertaining to Experiment #1 (Introduction to
Measurement Practice) in the ME 236 Coursepack - Lab Manual. For this portion of the assignment, pay
particular attention to the significant figure and rounding rules. Although these may differ slightly from
the rule presented in previous physics/chemistry courses, these will be the rules that we utilize throughout
the quarter.
Problem 1
How many significant figures are in the following numbers? (1 pt. each)
Answer
1a. 0.0120
1b. 600.1
1c. 1.30 × 10-4
1d. 830.0
Problem 2
The value 9900 is ambiguous; the number of significant figures is unclear. Rewrite the value TWO ways
to correct this problem and imply three significant figures. (1 pt. each)
Rewrite #1
Rewrite #2
Problem 3
Following the rules of significant figures, perform the following calculations. (1 pt. each)
Answer
3a. 33.01 + 961 + 62.5 =
3b. 92.1 x 0.0056 =
3c. 2.0 2 =
3d. (4.55 + 7.3) / 8.201 =
Problem 4
Using the rules as outlined in the ME 236 Lab Manual (which we will employ throughout the quarter),
round the following numbers to the first decimal (the 10ths place). (1 pt. each)
Answer
4a. 20.467
4b. 20.0513
4c. 20.1500
4d. 20.9803
4e. 20.25
4f. 20.6501
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ME 236 - Measurements and Engineering Data Analysis
Problem 5
Round the following numbers to three significant figures. (1 pt. each)
Answer
5a. 23421
5b. 16.024
5c. 273.61
5d. 5.685 × 103
5e. 5.6750 × 103
Problem 6
Answer the following multiple choice questions. (1 pt. each)
Answer
6a. The number 001001.0110 has how many significant figures?
(a) 10 , (b) 9 , (c) 8 , (d) 7 , (e) 4
6b. The number 4,578.500 rounded to four significant figures is
(a) 4580 , (b) 4579.0 , (c) 4579 , (d) 4578 , (e) 4570
6c. The number 11.2850 E12 has how many significant figures?
(a) 5 , (b) 6 , (c) 7 , (d) 12 , (e) 13
Pertaining to problems 7 - 8…
"Units and measures are not meant to confuse.
They were developed for us to communicate effectively, both commercially and technically." - P. F. Dunn
(Measurement and Data Analysis for Engineering and Science)
Let's face it, as engineers you will be constantly keeping track of units in calculations as well as
converting between different systems of units when necessary (most likely between the SI system and
either the English Engineering System or the Technical English System). When performing conversions
you should recognize that most EES units are defined in terms of the metric standards. As such, these
conversions are exact. To limit ambiguity for now, let us consider the conversions factors that we will use
to all be known exactly (use the tables provided on PolyLearn). Therefore the number of significant
figures does not change when converting from one unit of dimension to another.
In the problems that follow you will need to work in an organized fashion and show your work
completely. This includes showing all units at each step in your solution. Show all work related to
conversions. Feel free to annotate your work (i.e., provide written comments explaining your work) if you
think that it will be valuable to the reviewer. Indicate source of values not found in the provided tables.
Report your answer with the correct number of significant figures and the units specifically requested in
the problem statement.
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ME 236 - Measurements and Engineering Data Analysis
Problem 7 (4 pts.)
The pressure acting on a 1.25 in2 test specimen equals 15 MPa. What is the force (in N) acting on the
specimen?
Answer
Problem 8 (4 pts.)
The weight of a large steel cylinder is to be computed from measurements of its diameter and length. Let
its length L be equal to 3.32 m and its diameter d equal to 0.3605 m. Suppose that the density of the steel
equals 7835 kg/m3. Calculate the weight of the cylinder (in N) and report your result in a clear and
unambiguous form.
Answer
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