Question

Mckenzie measured a line to be 18.4 inches long. If the actual length of the line is 18.3 inches, what was the percent error of the measurement to the nearest tenth of a percent?

Answer 1

The percent error of McKenzie's measurement is 0.5%, rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the percent error, we employ the formula:

`\[ \text{Percent Error} = \left| \frac{\text{Measured Value} - \text{Actual Value}}{\text{Actual Value}} \right| * 100 \]`

Substituting the provided values, with the measured length being 18.4 inches and the actual length being 18.3 inches:

`\[ \text{Percent Error} = \left| (18.4 - 18.3)/(18.3) \right| * 100 = 0.546448 \]`

Rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent, the percent error is 0.5%. This indicates that McKenzie's measurement differs from the actual length by half a percent. Percent error serves as a valuable metric in assessing the accuracy of a measurement. In this instance, a 0.5% error suggests a relatively minor disparity between the recorded and true values.

Factors influencing this discrepancy could range from instrument precision to potential human error during measurement, or even variations in environmental conditions.

Precision in measurement is fundamental to obtaining dependable data, and the percent error aids in gauging the reliability of results. Recognizing and accounting for such errors is integral in scientific and mathematical endeavors to ensure the validity of conclusions drawn from collected data.