Does it matter how you define the error in a numerical solution??

thehoten

If you define the error as numerical solution - exact solution would you be hugely wrong even if you understood what was happening (i know it's the negative of exact - numerical). I wrote a report at uni and realised i defined the error in this way

mathman

Usually when talking about error, the magnitude is most important. The sign is only for clarity.

Typical presentation is V ± E, where V is the value and E is the error.

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thehoten	Does it matter how you define the error in a numerical solution?? Tweet If you define the error as numerical solution - exact solution would you be hugely wrong even if you understood what was happening (i know it's the negative of exact - numerical). I wrote a report at uni and realised i defined the error in this way

mathman Recognitions: Science Advisor	Usually when talking about error, the magnitude is most important. The sign is only for clarity. Typical presentation is V ± E, where V is the value and E is the error.