The Definition and Computation of Percent Error in Simple Terms

Percent error, also referred to as percentage error, is an important scientific figure that estimates the exact relationship between theoretical value and actual value.

Learning about error definition is important. For example, the design of electronic equipment requires a resistor with some specific percent error range. In terms of the accepted density of materials, errors are also significant. So, without this knowledge, an individual cannot succeed in development.

Percent Error Highlights

Here are the percent error basics and some reasons to become familiar with them.

Definition and Importance

Those are significant figures, as they indicate the accuracy of the measurements made in an experiment and describe how close your experimental value is to real value. The smaller the percentage is, the better. For instance, a 5% percentage error means that the initial guess was quite close to the real fact. Moreover, it is possible to get a result of over 100%.

Percent Error Formula

Whenever you require computation of the expectations vs. facts ratio, a percent error formula is what you need. The process of percent error calculation is not complicated:

1. Subtract the true value from the approximate value. The number is taken in absolute value, so disregard the negative sign, if any.
2. Divide the number by the true value. As a result, you obtain a decimal number or a frac.
3. Multiply the number by 100 and add the “%” sign.

The formula looks like this:

Relationship Between Absolute Error, Relative Error, and Percent Error as a Percent Difference

All of those three figures are related to each other. However, for an accurate calculation, it is of the utmost importance to understand the difference.

Absolute error is the difference between theoretical value and measured value. It usually has a positive value; however, sometimes, you can obtain a negative error. Either way, you will require the absolute value of the error for any further calculations, disregarding the negative sign.

Relative error represents the ratio of the absolute value of the difference to the known value. It is normally a frac number or a decimal. It helps to estimate the relative error size in comparison to the accepted value.

Percent error demonstrates a percent difference. Its calculation requires both absolute and relative error computation first. Percentage error is obtained by multiplying the relative error by 100.

Percent Error Calculator: Examples and Explanations

Let’s take a look at some examples of percent error calculations.

Short Summary

Here are the highlights in brief:

• Percent error is a percent difference between the expected and exact value to the exact value.
• To calculate a percent error, you need to obtain absolute and relative errors first.
• The formula requires three steps: subtraction, division, and multiplication. Negative numbers are disregarded.