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 the absolute value of the error divided by the accepted value and multiplied by 100%.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the percent error formula:

Where:

• \( Measured \) — The experimental or measured value
• \( Actual \) — The true or accepted value

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

3. Importance of Percent Error Calculation

Details: Percent error is crucial in scientific experiments and quality control processes to determine 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 as division by zero is undefined. Values can be positive or negative depending on the context.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a positive percent error indicate?
A: A positive percent error indicates that the measured value is greater than the actual value.

Q2: What does a negative percent error indicate?
A: A negative percent error indicates that the measured value is less than the actual value.

Q3: What is considered an acceptable percent error?
A: Acceptable percent error varies by field and application. In many scientific contexts, errors under 5% are considered acceptable, but this depends on the specific requirements.

Q4: Can percent error be greater than 100%?
A: Yes, percent error can exceed 100% when the measured value is more than twice the actual value.

Q5: How is percent error different from absolute error?
A: Absolute error gives the numerical difference between measured and actual values, while percent error expresses this difference as a percentage of the actual value, making it more useful for comparisons.