1. What is Percent Error?

Percent Error is a measure of how inaccurate a measurement is, compared to the true or accepted value. It quantifies the difference between an experimental value and a theoretical value as a percentage of the theoretical value.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Percent Error formula:

Where:

• \( \text{Experimental} \) — The measured or observed value
• \( \text{Theoretical} \) — The true, expected, or accepted value

Explanation: The formula calculates the absolute difference between experimental and theoretical values, divides by the theoretical value, and converts to a percentage.

3. Importance of Percent Error Calculation

Details: Percent Error is crucial in scientific experiments and measurements to assess the accuracy and reliability of results. It helps identify systematic errors and evaluate the quality of experimental procedures.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both experimental and theoretical values. The theoretical value cannot be zero. All values must be valid numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good percent error value?
A: The acceptable percent error varies by field, but generally values under 5% are considered good, while under 1% is excellent.

Q2: Why do we use absolute value in the formula?
A: The absolute value ensures the percent error is always positive, representing the magnitude of error regardless of direction.

Q3: How is percent error different from percent difference?
A: Percent error compares a measurement to a known value, while percent difference compares two experimental values without a reference standard.

Q4: Can percent error be negative?
A: No, the absolute value makes percent error always positive. The sign of (Experimental - Theoretical) indicates direction of error.

Q5: What does a high percent error indicate?
A: A high percent error suggests significant inaccuracies in measurement, possible equipment issues, or flaws in experimental methodology.