How to record readings with different precision instruments?

Use the instrument’s indicated precision for the selected measurement range and record the reading to that number of decimal places.

When an instrument shows different precision depending on the range, think of each range like a different ruler with its own smallest tick mark. Pick the range that gives a value that fits your measurement without overflowing the scale, and then report the number of digits the instrument shows in that range. If the display reads to two decimal places on one range and three decimal places on another, write down the reading with the same number of decimal places the instrument shows when you used that range. Do not add extra digits by guessing beyond the instrument’s displayed precision, and do not drop digits that the instrument clearly reports.

Students often try to make readings look more precise by adding extra digits, but those extra digits are not supported by the instrument and misrepresent uncertainty; instead, keep only the displayed digits. Some people switch ranges while measuring and copy digits from different ranges into one number, which creates inconsistent precision; avoid that by taking the reading only after you have settled on a single range. Another common mistake is ignoring the digit shown by the instrument’s least significant place and rounding incorrectly; record exactly what the instrument displays for that range or use proper rounding rules if you must convert between units.

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Recording Readings with Variable Precision

1. Pick the correct measurement range
2. Report digits shown by instrument
3. Match decimal places to range
4. Do not guess extra digits
5. Do not drop displayed digits

Common Measurement Mistakes and Fixes

1. Adding extra unsupported digits
2. Mixing digits from different ranges
3. Ignoring or rounding least significant digit

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