Final answer:
The absolute error for the listed weight of the steel beam is 1.5 pounds, and the percent (relative) error is approximately 1.7341%.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student asked about the absolute error and percent error for the listed weight of a steel beam. To calculate the absolute error, we subtract the true value (86.5 pounds) from the listed value (88 pounds), which gives us an absolute error of 1.5 pounds. To calculate the percent error, also known as relative error, we divide the absolute error by the true value and then multiply by 100 to get a percentage. The percent error is therefore ((88 - 86.5) ÷ 86.5) × 100, which equals approximately 1.7341%.
Summarizing:
Absolute error: 1.5 pounds
Percent (relative) error: Approximately 1.7341%