B.1.5.RS:5.2 - A bounded estimate and a threshold decision

A constituent estimates a quantity with absolute error at most 2. A receiving whole only needs to distinguish alternatives separated by more than 4; the bound can support their ordering when both estimates satisfy it.

Another whole must decide whether the quantity exceeds 100. An estimate of 99 is insufficient: the admitted interval is 97 to 101 and crosses the threshold. A more accurate estimate or another decision rule is needed for that case. At an estimate of 95, the same error bound puts the whole interval below 100 and can settle that particular decision.

The change from “estimate the quantity” to “support this decision” makes the scope of replacement explicit. The threshold is stipulated in this constructed example; the pattern does not supply a rule for choosing it.