Question

What is the difference between accuracy and precision?

A) Accuracy refers to the ability to reproduce results consistently, while precision is the closeness to the true value.
B) Accuracy is the closeness to the true value, while precision involves consistency and repeatability of results.
C) Accuracy and precision are synonymous terms used interchangeably in scientific research.
D) Accuracy is the ability to make measurements quickly, while precision is the ability to make measurements with a high degree of confidence.

Answer 1

Accuracy is about how close measurements are to the correct value, while precision is the consistency of repeated measurements, even if not near the true value.

Step-by-step explanation:

The difference between accuracy and precision is fundamental in scientific measurements. Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the correct or accepted value of the quantity being measured. In contrast, precision refers to the agreement between multiple measurements - that is, how consistent repeated measurements are, regardless of whether they are close to the true value or not. To help visualize, imagine an archery target: If all arrows land close to the bullseye, the shots are both accurate and precise. However, if all arrows cluster together but away from the bullseye, the shots are precise but not accurate.