Calculating Uncertainty: Where Am I Going Wrong?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating uncertainty in a physics problem, specifically focusing on the propagation of uncertainty in a derived formula. The original poster expresses confusion regarding the presence of an additional term in their calculations, which they believe should cancel out to yield a numerical value for uncertainty.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply an uncertainty propagation equation but questions the validity of their approach due to an unexpected term. Some participants question the application of the uncertainty equation and the interpretation of the values used, particularly regarding the meaning of "5% uncertainty."

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging in clarifying the original poster's application of the uncertainty equation. Some have provided guidance on potential errors in the formulation, while others are exploring the implications of the uncertainty definition. There is no explicit consensus yet on the correct approach.

Contextual Notes

The original poster has acknowledged a mistake in their initial equation presentation and is seeking clarification on the proper interpretation of uncertainty terms. The discussion includes a focus on the definitions and implications of uncertainty in the context of the problem.

Taylor_1989
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Homework Statement
A histological slide contains darkly stained cells of two kinds-normal cells which are circular in shape and elliptical cells f the same area (which are pathological). An automated image processing sequence aims to identify and distinguish the individual objects and calculating their respective form factors.

The are of an ellipse is ##A=\pi ab##( where a is the length of the semi-major axis, and b is the length of the semi-minor axis). The perimeter of an ellipse is quite difficult to calculate but a simply and fairly crude approximation is given by

$$P=2\pi \sqrt{\frac{a^2+b^2}{2}}$$

d) using the formulae above, calculate #f# for an ellipse and deduce its maximum and minimum values as ##a## ranges from ##b## to ##3b##. Sketch ##f## as ##a## ranges from ##b## to ##3b##

e)We assume that the perimeter of the ellipse given by the formula above is uncertain to about 5% of it true value bu the area is know exactly.
Derive the corresponding uncertainty in ##f##, and use your sketch from part d) (or otherwise) to deduce the minimum value of the ratio of ##a## to ##b## which would enable a clear distinction to be made between normal and pathological cells?
Relevant Equations
Uncertainty equation
$$Y=X^n$$
$$\Delta Y = |n|\frac{\Delta x}{x}|Y|$$

form factor equation
$$f=\frac{\pi ab}{\left(2\pi \sqrt{\frac{a^2+b^2}{2}}\right)^2}$$
So the only part of this question I am having an issue with is the uncertainty part in part e). I have included the whole question as reference. So to derive the uncertainty in ff I used the uncertainty equation outlined above but the issue is that when I propagate the uncertainty I end up with an additional b term which I believe should cancel and I should end up with a numerical value, believe not 100% certain.

My working are as follows

$$\frac{\Delta f}{f}=2 \frac{\Delta P}{P}$$$$\frac{\Delta f}{f}=2 \frac{0.05}{2 \pi \sqrt{\frac{a^2+b^2}{2}}} $$

Now if i use the value give say a=b then if I sub that into my uncertainty equation I will be left with a b term, which is seems to confuse me as surely I would need a numerical value, as to me the question is asking for a numerical value, by asking for the uncertainty in f?

Now I am a bit ropy with uncertainty equations, but after a brief look at some examples, I can't see the equation I am using to be wrong, could anyone maybe advise me if I am going wrong as to why.
 
Last edited:
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You seem to be applying your uncertainty equation wrongly. If f = A/P, then n = -1 and
Δf = 1*(ΔP/P)*f
Δf/f = ΔP/P = 0.05
Your mistakes appear to be
(i) Where does the number 2 come from?
(ii) You are repeating f (or ff as you call it) - it should either be in the numerator of the RHS, or the denominator of the LHS, but not both.
(iii) 0.05 is ΔP/P, not ΔP, so don't divide by P.
 
Okay sorry i need to edit the OP the 2 comes from the nurmerator being square which I used a latex generator, I pasted the equation in incorrectly, my appoliges I will correct the.
 
OK, you've corrected that, but you still wrongly have the expression for P in the denominator. 0.05 is ΔP/P, not ΔP. Do you understand what "5% uncertainty" means?
 

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