Question

Hank's speedometer reads 60 miles per hour, during a road test he finds that he was actually driving 50 miles per hour. What is the percent error in Hank's speedometer?

Show your work.

Answer 1

Hank's speedometer has a 20% percent error. This was calculated by comparing the actual speed with the speedometer reading and applying the percent error formula.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the percent error in Hank's speedometer, which incorrectly reads 60 miles per hour when he is actually driving 50 miles per hour, we'll use the following formula for percent error:

Percent Error = |(Actual value - Measured value) / Actual value| × 100%

Plugging in the values we have:

Percent Error = |(50 mph - 60 mph) / 50 mph| × 100%

Percent Error = |(-10 mph) / 50 mph| × 100%

Percent Error = 0.2 × 100%

Percent Error = 20%

Therefore, Hank's speedometer has a percent error of 20%.