# Homework Help: Error Propagation

1. Oct 15, 2005

I know there is a formulas for doing error propagation with seperate formulas for when dealing with powers, multiplying/dividing, and adding/subtraction.
What about if I have the formula F=4*pi^2*r*m / T^2...?
Also should i do error propagation for the varibles in the formula r (radius), and T(Period).

2. Oct 16, 2005

### big man

If the variables in your formula r,m and T each have an associated uncertainty then you take into account their affect on the final result F.
I'm pretty useless with the Latex and it is just easier and faster to do it in word so I've explained what I've done in the attached document instead.
I'm sorry if I've explained stuff you already know, but like I said, I don't really have an idea of what you know already so I thought I'd cover all bases.

#### Attached Files:

• ###### Equation 1.doc
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24.5 KB
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3. Oct 16, 2005

4. Oct 16, 2005

### big man

Yeah sorry forgot about the pending approval thing so you can't see it until a mod approves it, but yeah I can just send it to you if you want.

Last edited: Oct 16, 2005
5. Oct 16, 2005

can you send it to etownsen@oswego.edu
thanks

6. Oct 16, 2005

### big man

done.

If you don't really follow it then just come back here to discuss it and I will try and clarify it...or someone else will.

7. Oct 16, 2005

Um with eqn 2, in the square root, After the (uncertainty in f / uncertainty in m) squared, is that then times the standard deviation of m squared? Also in ours m, has no uncertainty so we just leave that term out of eqn 1?

8. Oct 16, 2005

### big man

Yeah if it has no error associated with its value then it doesn't contribute to the error in the final value.
The $$\sigma_m$$ is just the uncertainty associated with the value m.
However, since you are given the value of m and it doesn't have an uncertainty then you will just leave it out of the expression. Remember that you only include the expressions that have an associated uncertainty.

9. Oct 16, 2005