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Error Percentage Formula:
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The Error Percentage Formula calculates the relative error between a measured value and a true value, expressed as a percentage. It quantifies the accuracy of measurements and is widely used in science, engineering, and quality control.
The calculator uses the error percentage formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula takes the absolute error divided by the true value, then multiplies by 100 to convert to percentage.
Details: Error percentage is crucial for assessing measurement accuracy, quality control in manufacturing, scientific experiments, and comparing experimental results with theoretical values.
Tips: Enter the error value (can be positive or negative) and the true value. The true value must be non-zero. The calculator will compute the absolute error percentage.
Q1: What is the difference between absolute error and percentage error?
A: Absolute error is the actual difference between measured and true value, while percentage error expresses this as a percentage of the true value for better comparison.
Q2: Can error percentage be negative?
A: No, error percentage is always positive because we use the absolute value of the error in the calculation.
Q3: What is considered an acceptable error percentage?
A: Acceptable error percentage varies by field. In most scientific work, less than 5% is often acceptable, while precision engineering may require less than 1%.
Q4: What if the true value is zero?
A: The formula cannot be used when true value is zero, as division by zero is undefined. In such cases, absolute error is more appropriate.
Q5: How is this different from percent difference?
A: Percent error compares to a known true value, while percent difference compares two experimental values without a known "correct" value.