Global positioning satellites (GPS) can be used to determine your position with great accuracy. If one of the satellites is 20,000 km from you, and you want to know your position to ±2 m, what percent uncertainty in the distance is required? How many significant figures are needed in the distance?
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1. Intro to Physics Units
Introduction to Units
Problem 36
Textbook Question
(II) Estimate how many books can be shelved in a college library with 6500 m² of floor space. Assume 8 shelves high, having books on both sides, with corridors 1.5 m wide. Assume books are about the size of this one, on average.

1
Determine the total area available for shelving by subtracting the area occupied by corridors from the total floor space. To do this, estimate the number of corridors and their total width. For example, if corridors are spaced every few meters, calculate the area they occupy using the corridor width (1.5 m) and the length of the library.
Calculate the area available for shelving by subtracting the corridor area from the total floor space. This gives the effective shelving area.
Estimate the number of shelves that can fit in the available shelving area. Since shelves are 8 high and have books on both sides, calculate the total shelving length by dividing the shelving area by the width of a single shelf.
Determine the number of books that can fit on a single shelf. Use the average size of a book (e.g., the width of this book) to calculate how many books fit per meter of shelf length.
Multiply the total shelving length by the number of books per meter to estimate the total number of books that can be shelved in the library.

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Volume and Area Calculation
To estimate the number of books that can be shelved, one must understand how to calculate the area available for shelving. This involves determining the total floor area of the library and subtracting the space taken up by corridors. The remaining area can then be used to calculate how many shelves can fit, considering their dimensions.
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Shelf Configuration
Understanding the configuration of shelves is crucial for estimating capacity. In this scenario, shelves are 8 high and have books on both sides. This means that the total number of books per shelf must be calculated by considering both the height and the width of the shelves, as well as the average size of the books.
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Space Utilization
Effective space utilization is key in maximizing the number of books that can be stored. This includes accounting for the width of the corridors, which affects how many shelves can be placed in the library. Properly calculating the usable space ensures that the shelving system is efficient and meets the library's needs.
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