Manchot said:Well, if you use the millimeter marks to measure that distance, the maximum error that you could have would be 1 mm.
Joza said:How does one calculate percent error in measurements?
In attempting to measure a distance of some centimeters with a meter stick, how could I estimate it?
Isn't a meter stick accurate to the millimeter?
Percent error is a measure of the accuracy of a measurement. It is the difference between the actual value and the measured value, expressed as a percentage of the actual value.
To calculate percent error, you need to know the actual value and the measured value. Subtract the measured value from the actual value, divide that number by the actual value, and then multiply by 100 to get the percent error.
An acceptable percent error varies depending on the field and the specific measurement being made. In general, a percent error of less than 5% is considered acceptable, but this may differ for different industries and experiments.
There are a variety of factors that can contribute to percent error, including human error, equipment limitations, and environmental factors. It is important to carefully consider and control for these factors to minimize percent error in measurements.
Calculating percent error allows us to assess the accuracy of our measurements and identify potential sources of error. It is an important tool for ensuring the validity and reliability of scientific data and results.