Accuracy of measurement is determined by
Correct Answer :
Percentage error
Solution :
The correct answer is Percentage error.
To understand why percentage error determines the accuracy of a measurement, let us look at the definitions of the terms involved:
1. Absolute Error: This is the magnitude of the difference between the true value of the quantity and the individual measured value. It is given by:
Absolute error only tells us the size of the error in the same units as the measurement, but it does not convey how significant the error is relative to the total quantity being measured. For example, an absolute error of 1 cm is extremely large if we are measuring a small object of length 2 cm, but it is negligible if we are measuring the length of a football field (approx. 100 meters).
2. Relative Error and Percentage Error: Relative error is the ratio of the mean absolute error to the mean value of the quantity measured. When expressed as a percentage, it is called the percentage error:
Percentage error gives a relative measure of the scale of the error against the actual size of the measurement. Therefore, it directly determines the accuracy of a measurement. A smaller percentage error indicates a higher accuracy of the measurement, regardless of the magnitude of the absolute quantities involved.
Access expert-curated educational resources and study materials—completely free.
Create, conduct, and manage professional online assessments with Crey. Perfect for teachers and institutes.
Copyright © 2026 Crey. All Rights Reserved.