Uncertainty in Position Format

[KMcFarland_2L]

If the problem says the uncertainty in position was +/- a value, would we use the positive form of the value or the negative form of the value to find the uncertainty in momentum?

[Samantha Pedersen 2K]

We would actually use the sum of the absolute value of the positive and negative forms of the number. For example, if the problem says the uncertainty in position is +/- 5 meters, then you would plug in 10 meters for the uncertainty in position. This is because the position can be anywhere within 5 meters above the reference point and 5 meters below the reference point, so the uncertainty in position spans a range of 10 meters.

[Kimiya Aframian IB]

If the problem says the uncertainty in position was +/- a value, would we use the positive form of the value or the negative form of the value to find the uncertainty in momentum?

I think it would be the absolute value because if we are trying to find the room for error, it would be by a certain numerical value, not necessarily a positive number. What I mean is that the difference between 9 and 3 is 6 and the difference between 3 and 9 is still 6. Hope this hepls.