Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: Moseley
It is even more basic than this.

One of the first things you learn in a higher education science curriculum is the topic of “significant digits”

It is a tough concept to grasp for some, but it basically means you cannot have more accuracy than your measuring device.

If all you have is a yardstick, it is impossible to tell me how long something is to a thousandth of an inch. You could tell me something is a yard and a half or 2ft. 3and 1/2 inches (if your yardstick is marked to inches), but you cannot tell me something is 3.0005 inches.

Similarly, if all you have for hundreds of years of temperature data is tree rings and ice cores, you cannot tell me temperature has risen 0.06 degrees.

And that is the claim of the global warming religious zealots- temperatures went up 0.06 degrees. I knew that was bull$hit the first time i saw such accuracy depicted.

This is a tool to achieve a political agenda, and nothing else.

8 posted on 07/21/2014 7:09:20 AM PDT by Mr. K (Palin/Cruz 2016)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]


To: Mr. K
One of the first things you learn in a higher education science curriculum is the topic of “significant digits” It is a tough concept to grasp for some, but it basically means you cannot have more accuracy than your measuring device.

THANK YOU!!! A triumph for basic science 101 and common sense! I find it amazing how everyone forgets the basics!
15 posted on 07/21/2014 7:41:57 AM PDT by Moseley (http://www.MoseleyComments.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies ]

To: Mr. K

If you look at most professional level digital thermometers they are accurate to between +/- .08C degrees so anything more precise than that is impossible.


25 posted on 07/21/2014 8:44:40 AM PDT by redangus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson