Solving for Error in Y: A Math Problem

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the error in the quantity Y defined by the equation Y = (4a³b) / (5c²√d). The contributors clarify that to find the total percentage error, one must consider the individual percentage errors of the variables a, b, c, and d, applying the rule that errors in powers are multiplied by their respective exponents. The correct approach involves summing the percentage errors, adjusting for powers, rather than simply adding them together. The user also experiences issues with LaTeX formatting, specifically with spacing in MathType.

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Homework Statement


\[<br /> \[<br /> \begin{array}{l}<br /> {\rm{A quantity Y is given by:}} \\ <br /> Y = \frac{{4a^3 b}}{{\left( {5c^2 \sqrt {\rm{d}} } \right)}} \\ <br /> {\rm{Find the error in Y given the following errors in a, b, c, and d:}} \\ <br /> a \pm 1\% ,{\rm{ }}b \pm 0.5\% ,{\rm{ }}c \pm 2\% ,\,{\rm{ }}d \pm 1.5\% \\ <br /> \end{array}<br /> \]<br /> \

Homework Equations


Given above

The Attempt at a Solution


I plugged the numbers into this equation and got 0.1632993162
This is not correct.
I added all the percentage errors together to get 5%. Then asked myself why I did that anyway.
Don't know how to solve this problem. I know how to find percentage errors but these are already given.
please help. Thank you

And also - My LaTex is not working properly - It doesn't recognize the spaces between the words from MathType. Anyone know why?
 
Last edited:
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When you combine errors in a formula containing powers with the terms multiplied and divided you add the percentage errors of all the terms, but with the additional factor that if a term is squared the % error is doubled, if it's cubed the % error is 3 times. etc etc.
You can probably find a proof of this online.
 
Thank you
 

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