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Percent Error Calculator

Calculate the percentage error between experimental and theoretical values.

Formula

Percent Error Formula

Percent error is a measure of how inaccurate a measurement is, standardized to how large the measurement is. It helps in determining the precision of calculations and data in scientific experiments.

The Formula

%Error=ExperimentalTheoreticalTheoretical×100%\% Error = \left| \frac{Experimental - Theoretical}{Theoretical} \right| \times 100\%

Where:

  • Experimental Value: The value determined by measurement or experiment.
  • Theoretical Value: The accepted or known value (the "correct" answer).
  • Absolute Value (...|...|): Ensures the result is always positive.

Interpretation

  • A low percent error indicates that the experimental result is close to the accepted value (high accuracy).
  • A high percent error indicates a significant discrepancy.
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