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thomate1
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What is the difference between accuracy and precision?
Accuracy refers to how close a measured or calculated value is to the true or accepted value. Precision refers to how close multiple measurements or calculations are to each other.
It depends on the specific application. In some cases, accuracy may be more important, while in others, precision may be more critical. For example, in medical testing, accuracy is usually more important, while in manufacturing, precision is often the top priority.
Accuracy is typically measured by comparing a measurement or calculation to a known true or accepted value. Precision is usually measured by calculating the standard deviation or range of multiple measurements or calculations.
Some factors that can affect accuracy and precision include human error, instrument calibration, environmental conditions, and the inherent limitations of the measurement or calculation method being used.
Yes, it is possible for a measurement or calculation to be precise but not accurate, or accurate but not precise. For example, a clock may consistently show the wrong time (not accurate), but it may always be off by the same amount (precise). On the other hand, a dart player may consistently hit the same spot on the dartboard (precise), but it may not be the intended target (not accurate).