Chapter 3.1, Problem 18LC

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation : The difference between the accuracy, precision, and error of a measurement is to be explained.

Concept Introduction : Accuracy refers to how closely the value being measured matches the actual value in a measurement. Precision is a measurement of how well two measurements match one another, regardless of the actual value. Error is the measurement of the difference between the experimental value and the accepted value.

Answer to Problem 18LC

Accuracy is evaluated by comparing the correct value with the measured value in a measurement.

Precision is evaluated by comparing the two or more repeated values in a measurement.

Error is the measurement of the difference between the experimental value and the accepted value.

Explanation of Solution

Correct and reproducibility are the two features of measurement.

The concepts of accuracy and precision are related to correctness and reproducibility respectively.

Accuracy refers to how closely the value being measured matches the actual value in a measurement. Precision is a measurement of how well two measurements match one another, regardless of the actual value.

Accuracy is evaluated by comparing the correct value with the measured value in a measurement.

Precision is evaluated by comparing the two or more repeated values in a measurement.

Error is the measurement of the difference between the experimental value and the accepted value.

The formula to calculate error is:

  $\text{error = experimental}\text{value}-\text{accepted}\text{value}$

The formula to calculate the percent error is:

  $\text{percent error = }\frac{\left|\text{error}\right|}{\text{accepted}\text{value}}\text{×100\%}$