Lukutarkkuus

Lukutarkkuus refers to the precision with which a measurement can be read from an instrument. It is an inherent characteristic of the instrument itself and is typically determined by the smallest division marked on the scale. For example, a ruler with millimeter markings has a higher lukutarkkuus than a ruler with only centimeter markings. When taking a measurement, the lukutarkkuus influences the uncertainty associated with the reading. It is common practice to estimate to half of the smallest division to achieve the best possible lukutarkkuus from a given instrument.

The concept of lukutarkkuus is crucial in scientific experiments and engineering applications where accurate measurements are essential. Different instruments have varying lukutarkkuus. For instance, a digital caliper might offer a lukutarkkuus of 0.01 millimeters, while a simple protractor might have a lukutarkkuus of 1 degree. Choosing an instrument with appropriate lukutarkkuus for a given task is important to avoid introducing excessive error into the measurements.

In practical terms, lukutarkkuus dictates how finely one can distinguish between two nearby values. A higher lukutarkkuus means that smaller differences can be detected and recorded. This is directly related to the concept of significant figures in reporting measurements, as the number of significant figures is limited by the lukutarkkuus of the measuring instrument.