Percent Error Calculator
Quickly calculate the percent error between your theoretical and experimental values. Understand accuracy in experiments and measurements.
Result
Understanding Percent Error
Percent error is a measure of how inaccurate a measurement is compared to the true or accepted value. It's particularly useful in scientific experiments and engineering to quantify the difference between experimental results and theoretical predictions.
The formula for percent error helps to express this difference as a percentage of the theoretical value. By taking the absolute value of the difference and dividing by the theoretical value, we get a relative error, which is then scaled by 100% to express it as a percentage.
Formula Explained:
- Experimental Value: The value you measured in your experiment or observation.
- Theoretical Value: The value that is expected or known to be true, often from calculations or established theories.
A lower percent error indicates that your experimental value is closer to the theoretical value, suggesting higher accuracy in your measurement or experiment. Conversely, a higher percent error suggests a larger discrepancy.
Example:
If you theoretically expect to produce 50 grams of a chemical in a reaction (theoretical value), but you actually obtain 48 grams (experimental value), the percent error is:
Percent Error = |(48 - 50) / 50| * 100% = 4%
This result indicates a 4% error in your experimental yield compared to the theoretical yield.