S3U

History / Timelines / Grade 12 / htcdl

Bound an Interval between Uncertain Dates - Practice 2

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 6: A lies from 1850 to 1854 CE; B from 1860 to 1865 CE, at the same calendar point. What is the longest possible gap in years?
Question 2 Fictional dating case 7: A lies from 1860 to 1864 CE; B from 1870 to 1875 CE, at the same calendar point. What is the shortest possible gap in years?
Question 3 Fictional dating case 8: A lies from 1870 to 1874 CE; B from 1880 to 1885 CE, at the same calendar point. What is the longest possible gap in years?
Question 4 Fictional dating case 9: A lies from 1880 to 1884 CE; B from 1890 to 1895 CE, at the same calendar point. What is the shortest possible gap in years?
Question 5 Fictional dating case 10: A lies from 1890 to 1894 CE; B from 1900 to 1905 CE, at the same calendar point. What is the longest possible gap in years?