How do you find the uncertainty of an average?

AI Thread Summary
To find the uncertainty of an average from multiple measurements, a weighted average approach is recommended, where more precise values are given greater weight based on their uncertainties. The initial calculations resulted in an average of 15.38, but using the correct method yields an average of 15.50 with an uncertainty of 0.20. The professor's initial suggestion of 1.0956 for uncertainty was deemed incorrect, as it implied that more measurements would decrease accuracy. The discussion emphasizes the importance of accurately accounting for uncertainties in experimental data. Properly applying the weighted average method leads to a more reliable result.
Student2018
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Homework Statement


I used a spectrometer in class and obtained 6 angles in which and found the angles. I needed to find the average of the angles and account for the uncertainties here is what I did:

Center (A): 179.58°±.26 Center (B): 359.35°±.26
Purple(RA): 194.95°±.66 Purple (RB): 374.32°±.66
Purple(LA): 163.97°±.17 Purple (LB): 343.83°±.17

Homework Equations


Average= (x1+x2+x3+x4)/4
dc=sqrt[(da)^2+(db)^2]

The Attempt at a Solution


1.C(A) - P(RA) = 179.58-194.95 = 15.37±.71
2.C(B) - P(RB) = 359.35-374.32 = 14.97±.71
3.C(A) - P(LA) = 179.58-163.97 = 15.61±.31
4.C(B) - P(LB) = 359.35-343.83 = 15.52±.31

where I got the uncertainties like so:
dc(1)=sqrt[(.26)^2+(.66)^2]= .71

dc(3)=sqrt[(.26)^2+(.17)^2]= .31

I needed to get the average of all the numbers
Average= (15.37+14.97+15.61+15.52)/4 = 15.38

I talked to the professor and he wanted me to use
dt=sqrt[(.71)^2+(.71)^2+(.31)^2+(.31)^2]= 1.0956

My question is, is it 1.0956 or is it (1.0956/4) = .274?
(Sorry if it was long)
 
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Student2018 said:
dt=sqrt[(.71)^2+(.71)^2+(.31)^2+(.31)^2]= 1.0956
That is clearly wrong since it would say the more measurements you take the less accurate your result.

If you have a number of readings of the same quantity but with different uncertainties on each, the ideal is to use a weighted average to find the mean. The more precise values need to be given greater weight.
The weighting is 1/σi2. In this case you should get 15.50 rather than 15.38.
The uncertainty in that average goes like σ-2=Σσi-2. For that I get σ=0.20.
 
Last edited:
I see, thank you. That uncertainty would make a lot more sense than 1.0956 which is way too high of a range.
 
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