Final answer:
Percent error and percent change both measure differences between values as percentages. Percent error compares an experimental value to an accepted value, while percent change measures how much a quantity has changed relative to its original amount.
Step-by-step explanation:
Percent error and percent change are similar in that they both measure the relative difference between two values as a percentage. Percent error quantifies how far an experimental value deviates from an accepted value. For example, if the experimental value is equal to the accepted value, the percent error is equal to 0. However, as the accuracy of a measurement decreases, the percent error rises.
On the other hand, percent change refers to how much a quantity changes relative to its original value. For instance, if your hourly wage increases from $10 to $12, the percentage change in your pay is calculated by dividing the change ($2) by the original quantity ($10), which is $2/$10 = 0.20 or 20%.
Both concepts involve a comparison between values and provide a proportional representation of difference or change, making them useful tools in various mathematical and real-world applications, such as financial growth rates or scientific measurement accuracy.