A running route is reported as \(4.5\) miles after rounding to the nearest tenth. If it had been rounded to the nearest hundredth, the result would have been \(4.53\) miles.
Find the least and greatest possible whole-number lengths, in feet, that satisfy both conditions. Use \(1\) mile \(=5280\,\text{ft}\).
Hints
- Find the rounding interval for each reported distance.
- Use the overlap of the two intervals.
- Convert the interval endpoints from miles to feet, then account for the excluded upper boundary.
Solution
1. Values that round to \(4.5\) miles to the nearest tenth lie in \([4.45, 4.55)\).
2. Values that round to \(4.53\) miles to the nearest hundredth lie in \([4.525, 4.535)\). This entire interval also satisfies the first condition.
3. Convert the lower boundary: \(4.525\times5280=23{,}892\,\text{ft}\).
4. Convert the upper boundary: \(4.535\times5280=23{,}944.8\,\text{ft}\), which is not included.
5. Therefore, the least possible whole-number length is \(23{,}892\,\text{ft}\), and the greatest is \(23{,}944\,\text{ft}\).
Answer
Least: \(23{,}892\,\text{ft}\)
Greatest: \(23{,}944\,\text{ft}\)