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Physics LibreTexts

1.1: Interpreting Errors

( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)

Systematic Error

  • Measurements deviate from the correct value by the same amount each time
  • Errors have a pattern

Example:  Time on a watch is always 5 minutes ahead of the true time

Random Error

  • Errors have no pattern 

Example:  Everyone’s watch shows a different time

Uncertainty in Measurement 

  • Number ± error
  • It is the amount a number may be off from the correct value

Example:  Age ±365 days

Ratio Comparison

  • Shows how two numbers compare
  • Reduced fraction shows comparison

Example:  

\dfrac{65 \text{mph}}{30 \text{mph}} = \dfrac{2.2}{1}  \text { (Means one speed is 2.2 times faster than the other)}\nonumber 

Percent Error

  • Percentage measurements are off from standard/correct value
  • Absolute value

\text {Percent Error}  = \dfrac{\text {Experimental/Measured Value} - \text {Accepted/Theoretical Value}}{\text {Accepted/Theoretical  Value}} \times 100 \% \nonumber 

Contributors and Attributions


1.1: Interpreting Errors is shared under a CC BY license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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