Question

The true value for a measurement is 24.36 m. The experimental value is 20.50 m. Calculate the percent error. Show all work with units and correct sig figs.

Answer 1

The percent error is calculated by subtracting the experimental value from the true value, dividing the result by the true value, and multiplying by 100. The result for the given measurements is 15.84%, with calculations rounded off to match the significant figures of the given data.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question involves calculating the percent error between an experimental value and a true value. To calculate percent error, you subtract the experimental value from the true value, divide the result by the true value, and then multiply by 100 to get the percentage. In this case:

• True value (TV): 24.36 m
• Experimental value (EV): 20.50 m

Percent Error = ((TV – EV) / TV) × 100

Percent Error = ((24.36 m – 20.50 m) / 24.36 m) × 100

Percent Error = (3.86 m / 24.36 m) × 100

Percent Error = 0.1584 × 100

Percent Error = 15.84%

Since both the true value and the experimental value have two decimal places, we report the percent error with two decimal places as well, matching the significant figures of the given measurements.