Final answer:
The percent error for a tablet measured at 3.95 milligrams, when the true value is 4 milligrams, is calculated using the formula |(measured value - true value) / true value| x 100%, which equals 1.25%. This helps in assessing the accuracy of measurements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question asks us to calculate the percent error when a 4 milligram tablet is measured at 3.95 milligrams. The percent error formula is percent error = |(measured value - true value) / true value| x 100%. Applying this formula, we get percent error = |(3.95 mg - 4 mg) / 4 mg| x 100% = |(-0.05 mg) / 4 mg| x 100% = 1.25%. Therefore, the percent error in this measurement is 1.25%.
Understanding percent error is essential for assessing the accuracy of measurements. It depicts how close a measured value is to the true or accepted value. A smaller percent error indicates a more accurate measurement. It's important to note that percent error can apply to various fields, including physics, chemistry, and engineering, to quantify the precision of different measurement tools or experimental results.
By knowing the percent error, a student can evaluate the reliability of measurements in experiments and quality control processes. For instance, a chemist assessing the performance of machines dispensing medication needs to calculate the percent error to ensure the dosage is correct, just like our calculation with the tablet's mass or the real-life scenarios mentioned in the given information.