S3U

History / Timelines / Grade 12 / htcdk

Bound an Interval between Uncertain Dates - Practice 1

When an earlier event is dated within [a,b] and a later event within [c,d], the shortest possible gap is c-b and the longest is d-a when b<c.

All worksheets
5 questions0m 0s
Learn the skill

When an earlier event is dated within [a,b] and a later event within [c,d], the shortest possible gap is c-b and the longest is d-a when b<c. These inclusive year labels represent possible same-calendar-point dates, not probability distributions.

Worked example

A is dated 1800-1804 and B 1810-1815. The gap could be as short as 6 years or as long as 15; no single exact gap is established.

Schematic dating intervals place event A between 1800 and 1804, and B between 1810 and 1815. At the same calendar point, the shortest possible gap is 1810 minus 1804, or 6; the longest is 1815 minus 1800, or 15.
Schematic dating intervals place event A between 1800 and 1804, and B between 1810 and 1815. At the same calendar point, the shortest possible gap is 1810 minus 1804, or 6; the longest is 1815 minus 1800, or 15.
Question 1 Fictional dating case 1: A lies from 1800 to 1804 CE; B from 1810 to 1815 CE, at the same calendar point. What is the shortest possible gap in years?
Question 2 Fictional dating case 2: A lies from 1810 to 1814 CE; B from 1820 to 1825 CE, at the same calendar point. What is the longest possible gap in years?
Question 3 Fictional dating case 3: A lies from 1820 to 1824 CE; B from 1830 to 1835 CE, at the same calendar point. What is the shortest possible gap in years?
Question 4 Fictional dating case 4: A lies from 1830 to 1834 CE; B from 1840 to 1845 CE, at the same calendar point. What is the longest possible gap in years?
Question 5 Fictional dating case 5: A lies from 1840 to 1844 CE; B from 1850 to 1855 CE, at the same calendar point. What is the shortest possible gap in years?