It is useful to know when a small number is negligible.
Perform the following computations.
(a) 186.300 + 0.0030
(b) 186.300 − 0.0030
(c) 186.300 × 0.0030
(d) 186.300/0.0030
(e) For cases (a) and (b), what percent error will result if you ignore the 0.0030? Explain why you can never ignore the smaller number, 0.0030, for case (c) and case (d)?
(f) What rule can you make about ignoring small values?