A checked target gate accepts 12 m and 14 m but rejects 16 m. Exact arithmetic here means exact results for the stated model inputs; measured inputs still carry uncertainty and significant-figure limits.

highlighted = computed this step

The target gate includes the endpoint

Target 12 m with tolerance 2 m accepts depths 12 m and 14 m.

1412=214 - 12=2
Echo depthA round-trip time is halved before speed turns it into depth.round tripdepth14accepted

A deeper echo fails the target gate

Depth 16 m differs from the target by 4 m, so it is rejected.

1612=4 > 216 - 12=4\ >\ 2
Echo depthA round-trip time is halved before speed turns it into depth.round tripdepth16rejected