Error Percentage Formula:
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Error percentage is a measure of the accuracy of a measurement or calculation compared to the true or accepted value. It expresses the difference between measured and true values as a percentage of the true value.
The calculator uses the error percentage formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the relative error between measured and true values, then converts it to a percentage for easier interpretation.
Details: Error percentage is crucial in scientific research, quality control, engineering, and data analysis to assess measurement accuracy, validate results, and ensure reliability of experimental data.
Tips: Enter both measured and true values. The true value cannot be zero (division by zero error). Values can be positive or negative depending on the context.
Q1: What does a positive error percentage mean?
A: A positive error percentage indicates the measured value is higher than the true value (overestimation), while negative indicates underestimation.
Q2: What is considered an acceptable error percentage?
A: Acceptable error varies by field. In laboratory settings, <5% is often acceptable, while engineering may require <1%. Always check industry standards.
Q3: How is error percentage different from absolute error?
A: Absolute error is the numerical difference (Measured - True), while error percentage expresses this difference relative to the true value as a percentage.
Q4: Can error percentage be greater than 100%?
A: Yes, if the measured value is more than double the true value, error percentage will exceed 100%.
Q5: When should I use error percentage vs other error measures?
A: Use error percentage when comparing errors across different scales or magnitudes. For single measurements, absolute error may be more appropriate.