MHB Problems with propagation of error

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The discussion focuses on the challenges of error propagation in equations involving various mathematical operations. Participants emphasize the importance of neglecting constant values when deriving error propagation formulas. A specific example is provided, illustrating how to calculate the relative error using the formula for a function of multiple variables. Additionally, there are clarifications regarding the use of square roots and the handling of negative signs in equations. Overall, the conversation aims to guide the original poster in correctly applying error propagation techniques.
bobey
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bobey said:
I have problem regarding the propagation of error since the equations involving mixtures of multiplication, division, addition, subtraction, and powers. Please help me to clarify whether my attempts are right or wrong.

https://www.physicsforums.com/attachments/333https://www.physicsforums.com/attachments/334
https://www.physicsforums.com/attachments/332View attachment 331

Hi bobey, :)

I think you should review how to calculate the propagation of errors. One of the basic things that you should remember is to neglect the constant values of the formulas when deriving the error propagation formula. For example take your Question 1.

\[D=-\frac{L}{4m}\]

Now, the error propagation formula would be,

\[\frac{\Delta D}{D}=\sqrt{\left(\frac{\Delta L}{L}\right)^2+\left(\frac{\Delta m}{m}\right)^2}\]

Even if you have the formula, \(\displaystyle D=\frac{L}{m}\) you get the same error propagation formula above. The constant \(-\frac{1}{4}\) have no significance.

Read http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~scphys/nsta/error_propagation.pdf and this to find out how to derive the error propagation for any given formula.

Kind Regards,
Sudharaka.
 
Last edited:
Sudharaka said:
Hi bobey, :)

I think you should review how to calculate the propagation of errors. One of the basic things that you should remember is to neglect the constant values of the formulas when deriving the error propagation formula. For example take your Question 1.

\[D=-\frac{L}{4m}\]

Now, the error propagation formula would be,

\[\frac{\Delta D}{D}=\sqrt{\frac{\Delta L}{L}+\frac{\Delta m}{m}}\]

I would check this if I were you.

CB
 
Problems with propagation of error for multiple variables

please help by telling me whether my approach to solve the problems are right or wrong. please refer to the ATTACHMENT for the questions and my approaches...

your help is highly appreciated!

question 1
View attachment 336
question 2
View attachment 337
 

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Re: Problems with propagation of error for multiple variables

bobey said:
please help by telling me whether my approach to solve the problems are right or wrong. please refer to the ATTACHMENT for the questions and my approaches...

your help is highly appreciated!

question 1
View attachment 336

For this one you should not need the square and square root, they cancel, and anyway you only use a root sum of squares composition of errors when there is more than one variable involved.

CB
 
Re: Problems with propagation of error for multiple variables

bobey said:
please help by telling me whether my approach to solve the problems are right or wrong. please refer to the ATTACHMENT for the questions and my approaches...

your help is highly appreciated!

question 1
View attachment 336
question 2
View attachment 337

For the second the same comment as for the first, otherwise OK (except you should transfer the minus sign attached to the 2 to the whole expression.

CB
 
I have been insisting to my statistics students that for probabilities, the rule is the number of significant figures is the number of digits past the leading zeros or leading nines. For example to give 4 significant figures for a probability: 0.000001234 and 0.99999991234 are the correct number of decimal places. That way the complementary probability can also be given to the same significant figures ( 0.999998766 and 0.00000008766 respectively). More generally if you have a value that...

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