Question

Given an estimated value of 43.3 cm and a measured value 36.2 cm, determine the percent error to one decimal place.

a) 19.7%
b) 16.5%
c) 5.7%
d) 16.0%

Answer 1

To find the percent error between an estimated value of 43.3 cm and a measured value of 36.2 cm, we calculate the absolute difference between the values, divide by the estimated value, then multiply by 100%. the result is 16.4%, which rounds to answer choice (b) 16.5% to one decimal place.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the percent error between an estimated value and a measured value, we use the following formula:

Percent Error = (|Estimated Value - Measured Value| / Estimated Value) x 100%

Inserting the given values we get:

Percent Error = (|43.3 cm - 36.2 cm| / 43.3 cm) x 100%

Percent Error = (7.1 cm / 43.3 cm) x 100%

Percent Error = 0.16401 x 100%

Percent Error = 16.4%

When we round to one decimal place as the question asks, we get:

Percent Error = 16.4% → 16.4% (rounded)

Therefore, the closest answer to our calculated percent error is answer choice (b) 16.5%.