1. What is Percent Error?

Percent error is a measure of how inaccurate a measurement is, standardized to how large the measurement is. It is calculated as the absolute value of the difference between measured and actual values divided by the actual value, multiplied by 100 to convert to a percentage.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the percent error formula:

Where:

• \( Measured \) — The experimental or observed value
• \( Actual \) — The true, accepted, or theoretical value
• \( |Measured - Actual| \) — Absolute difference between measured and actual values

Explanation: The formula calculates the relative error as a percentage, providing a standardized way to compare accuracy across different measurements and scales.

3. Importance of Percent Error Calculation

Details: Percent error is crucial in scientific experiments, quality control, engineering, and data analysis to quantify the accuracy of measurements and identify potential sources of error in experimental procedures.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both measured and actual values. The actual value cannot be zero (division by zero error). Values can be positive or negative, but the percent error will always be positive due to the absolute value function.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is considered a good percent error?
A: This depends on the field and context. In some scientific experiments, <5% is good, while in others <1% may be required. Always check field-specific standards.

Q2: Can percent error be negative?
A: No, percent error is always positive because it uses the absolute value of the difference between measured and actual values.

Q3: What's the difference between percent error and percent difference?
A: Percent error compares a measured value to a known actual value, while percent difference compares two experimental values without assuming one is correct.

Q4: Why use absolute value in the formula?
A: Absolute value ensures the error is always expressed as a positive quantity, focusing on the magnitude of error rather than the direction.

Q5: What if my actual value is zero?
A: The formula cannot be used when the actual value is zero, as this would involve division by zero. In such cases, absolute error may be more appropriate.