The sides of a small rectangular box are measured to be\({\bf{1}}.{\bf{80}} \pm {\bf{0}}.{\bf{01}}{\rm{ }}{\bf{cm}}\),\({\bf{2}}.{\bf{05}} \pm {\bf{0}}.{\bf{02}}{\rm{ }}{\bf{cm}}\), and\({\bf{3}}.{\bf{1}} \pm {\bf{0}}.{\bf{1}}{\rm{ }}{\bf{cm}}\)long. Calculate its volume and uncertainty in cubic centimeters.

Uncertainty as a percentage is just relative uncertainty multiplied by\({\rm{100}}\)

The percent uncertainty likewise lacks units since it is a ratio of comparable values.

The volume of a rectangular prism is equal to the area of the base that doubles its height. Therefore, the volume of a rectangular prism formula is given as.

\({\rm{Rectangular prism volume = }}\left( {{\rm{Length x Width x Length}}} \right){\rm{ cubic units}}\)

\(\begin{aligned}{c} V &= lbh\end{aligned}\)

Substitute known values In the above equation.

\(\begin{aligned}{c} V &= 1.80 \times 2.05 \times 3.1\\ &= 11.439{\rm{}}c{m^3}\end{aligned}\)

Determine the uncertainty for volume as below.

\(\begin{aligned}{c}\frac{{\Delta V}}{V} &= \frac{{\Delta L}}{L} + \frac{{\Delta B}}{B} + \frac{{\Delta H}}{H}\\ &= \pm \left( {\frac{{0.01}}{{1.80}} + \frac{{0.02}}{{2.05}} + \frac{{0.1}}{{3.1}}} \right)\times 100\% \\ &= \pm 4.757\% \end{aligned}\)

Solve the above equation foruncertainty for volume as below.

\(\begin{aligned}{c}\Delta V &= \pm 4.757\% \times V\\ &= \pm 4.757\% \times 11.439\\ &= 0.544{\rm{ }}c{m^3} \end{aligned}\)

Therefore, the volume and uncertainty in cubic centimeters is \(V + \Delta V = \left( {11.439 \pm 0.544} \right){\rm{ }}c{m^3}\)