Question

A student has a container with a volume of 1.5 L. She estimates the volume to be 1.8 L. By what percent is the students estimate off?

Answer 1

20%

Explanation:

You want to know the percentage error in an estimate of 1.8 L for an actual value of 1.5 L.

Percentage error

The percentage error is the ratio of error amount to actual value, multiplied by 100%.

Error amount = estimate - actual = 1.8 L -1.5 L = 0.3 L

ratio = (error amount)/(actual) = (0.3 L)/(1.5 L) = 0.2

percentage error = 0.2 × 100% = 20%

The error in the student's estimate is 20%.