Three students measured the height of a lab table, each using a different meter stick. One student reported a height of 98 cm, another reported a height of 99 cm, and the last student reported a height of 70 cm. The most likely explanation for the difference in the reported heights is that one

Most likely the 98 and 99 cm heights are correct and the 70 cm height indicates that that meter stick is probably faulty. The numbering may have not started at the end of the stick. The sticks would have to be compared to see if that was the case and the centimeter divisions could be checked to see if there was 2.54 cm to the inch for both. In that way, you could know which was the reliable measuring stick.