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The Hounsfield scale is significant in CT imaging because it quantifies the radiodensity of various tissues relative to water, which has a value of zero on the scale. This numerical representation allows for better differentiation of various tissues based on their density, facilitating the identification of different anatomical structures and pathological conditions. For instance, air will have a value of -1000, fat around -100, water 0, and dense tissues like bone can range higher, such as +1000 or more. This scale aids radiologists in interpreting CT images accurately, as it provides a standardized method for assessing how tissues respond to the X-ray beam based on their density.

In contrast, measuring the intensity of X-rays does not relate directly to the Hounsfield scale's function. Determining patient dosage for radiation involves different principles pertaining to radiation safety and exposure, not the quantification of tissue density. Lastly, while proper patient positioning is important in imaging, it is not related to the quantification of tissue characteristics which is the primary function of the Hounsfield scale.