Time Estimation


Try to estimate the passage of time by selecting a time interval, clicking the Start button, and clicking Stop when you think the interval has passed. The estimate and percent error are recorded. Compare different techniques for estimating time, as well as the average error for long time intervals versus shorter intervals.

Time remaining to use this Gizmo: 5:00     Extend your five minute free pass.

Assessment Questions (5):

  1. A person made an estimate for a three–minute interval. The estimate was 241.5 seconds. What was the error of this estimate?
  2. A test taker makes an estimate for a 30–second time interval. The estimate is 34.5 seconds. What is the percent error in this example?
  3. In the early 1600s, Galileo Galilei performed a series of experiments to measure the acceleration of a ball rolling down a smooth inclined plane. He tried several ways to measure time, including water clocks and his own pulse. Suppose his pulse rate was 66 beats per minute, and he counted 11 beats for the ball to roll down the plane. How many seconds was the ball rolling?
  4. A student is investigating the effects of age on time estimation abilities. The results are shown in the table below, and the experimenter concludes that younger people are more effective at estimating time. What is wrong with this conclusion?

    Data table
  5. A student uses a counting technique to estimate time. She counts "one one–thousand, two one–thousand, three one–thousand" and so on. Her estimate for a 10–second interval is 9.28 seconds. Assuming her rate is constant, what will her estimate be for 120 seconds?

Session Timeout Notice

Your ExploreLearning user session will timeout in 5:00.

Would you like to stay logged in and continue your current session?
logout ignore