Chapter 35: Problem 2

Differentiate between the following: (a) Determinate and indeterminate erros (b) Precision and accuracy (c) Absolute error and relative error

Short Answer

Expert verified

Determinate errors can be avoided but indeterminate errors cannot. Precision refers to the closeness of the measurements to each other while accuracy is their closeness to the true value. Absolute error shows the extent of error from the true value, while relative error measures how significant the error is relative to the true value.

Step by step solution

Determinate and Indeterminate Errors

(a) Determinate errors are those errors that can be avoided by taking proper precautions and are often due to systematic errors. They are exactly calculable and have a non-random pattern. On the other hand, indeterminate errors are a result of the uncertainty inherent in every measurement, and they arise due to random errors. They have a random pattern and cannot be eliminated using statistical methods.

Precision and Accuracy

(b) Precision refers to the closeness of two or more measurements to each other, disregarding how close they are to the true value. It is the repeatability or reproducibility of the measurements. Conversely, accuracy refers to the closeness of a measurement to its true or known value. It doesn't matter how close the measurements are to each other; what matters is how close they are to the actual value.

Absolute Error and Relative Error

(c) Absolute error is the difference between the measured value and the true value. It gives a sense of 'how much' error occurred during the measurement. In contrast, relative error is the ratio of the absolute error and the true value. It gives a sense of 'how big' or 'how significant' the error is relative to the true value. It is often expressed as a percentage (%).

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Differentiate between the following: (a) Determinate and indeterminate erros (b) Precision and accuracy (c) Absolute error and relative error

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Determinate and Indeterminate Errors

Precision and Accuracy

Absolute Error and Relative Error

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