Exam-style question
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A computer stores a measurement as 3.0, but its actual value is 3.2. Calculate the absolute error and the relative error. Give the relative error both as a decimal and as a percentage.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- Absolute error = |3.2 - 3.0| = 0.2.
- Relative error = 0.2 / 3.2 = 0.0625, which is 6.25%.
Explanation
Why this works
The absolute error is the magnitude of the difference between the actual and stored values. The relative error compares this error with the actual value, so it is calculated by dividing 0.2 by 3.2.
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