Are the results of (.521 - 3.6) and (3.6 - .521) the same in this case?
In this video about significant figures at 1:32:40 the person subtracts 3.6 from .521 (3.6 - .521 which equals to 3.079) although it can clearly be seen that it is (.521 - 3.6) which equals to a negative value of -3.079.
The Minus sign is assigned with 3.6 but he casually changes it with .521 and makes it (+3.6 -.521). How is this possible? How did he do that and is it even correct? If it is correct then enlighten me on how it is possible
In this video about significant figures at 1:32:40 the person subtracts 3.6 from .521 (3.6 - .521 which equals to 3.079) although it can clearly be seen that it is (.521 - 3.6) which equals to a negative value of -3.079.
The Minus sign is assigned with 3.6 but he casually changes it with .521 and makes it (+3.6 -.521). How is this possible? How did he do that and is it even correct? If it is correct then enlighten me on how it is possible
1 Answer
Jul 5, 2018
I have not seen the video, but is it possible that the guy who made the vid made an error?
Explanation:
Anybody, a professor of mathematics, an undergrad, a school-child, can make an arithmetic error … it is all too easy to do.
And of course these differences are NOT the same...
