Temperature measuring devices will be accurate to +/- 3 degrees F.

• A. +/- 1 degree F
• B. +/- 3 degrees F
• C. +/- 5 degrees F
• D. +/- 10 degrees F

Answer: (B)

Understanding accuracy means recognizing how much a measurement can differ from the true value. Saying a thermometer is accurate to plus or minus 3 degrees Fahrenheit means its reading can be up to 3 degrees higher or lower than the actual temperature.

For example, if the food is really 40°F, the thermometer might show anywhere from 37°F to 43°F. This tolerance is a practical safety balance in food service: you can trust the reading within that range and still determine if the food is in a safe holding or cooling zone.

Regularly calibrating thermometers helps ensure the readings stay within that ±3°F range. For instance, you test at known temperatures (like in ice water or boiling water) and adjust as needed so the instrument remains within its stated accuracy.

If the tolerance were smaller, you’d need more precise, often more expensive instruments; if it were larger, you’d risk misjudging safety temps. The ±3°F accuracy is a common, workable standard for many food temperature measurements.