Observations and Inferences in Rational Expressions

Which of the following senses is NOT typically used in scientific observation?

• Taste

• Intuition

• Hearing

• Sight

What might you observe when feeling the bottom of a test tube?

• Its smell

• Its temperature

• Its sound

• Its color

What is the difference between an observation and an inference?

• Observations are facts, inferences are guesses.

• Observations are guesses, inferences are facts.

• Observations are always correct, inferences are always wrong.

• Observations are made with instruments, inferences are made with senses.

What can be inferred from seeing rust and sand beneath a tire?

• The tire is in a cold place.

• The tire is new.

• The tire is in a desert.

• The tire is part of a bicycle.

Which of the following is an example of an observation?

• The tire is in a desert.

• The tire is from a truck.

• The tire is flat.

• The tire is old.

What is an inference you can make if you see sand beneath a tire?

• The tire is in a cold place.

• The tire is new.

• The tire is in a desert.

• The tire is part of a bicycle.

Why might you infer that a tire is not fixable?

• Because it is part of a car.

• Because it is in a garage.

• Because it is new.

• Because of visible white threads on the edge.

What should you do if new observations do not fit your previous inference?

• Ignore the new observations.

• Make a new observation.

• Revise your inference.

• Stick to your original inference.

What is the importance of supporting inferences with observations?

• To ensure inferences are based on facts.

• To make observations irrelevant.

• To make sure inferences are guesses.

• To ignore new observations.