Exam-style question
Try this first
Two stored values each have an absolute error of 0.01. The actual values are 1.01 and 100.01. Which statement is correct?.
- A.The relative error is greater for 100.01 because it is the larger number.
- B.The relative error is the same because the absolute errors are the same.
- C.The relative error is greater for 1.01 because the same absolute error is a larger fraction of the value.
- D.Neither value has a relative error because the absolute error is only 0.01.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- The relative error is greater for 1.01 because the same absolute error is a larger fraction of the value.
Explanation
Why this works
The relative errors are approximately 0.01 / 1.01 = 0.0099 and 0.01 / 100.01 = 0.0001. Therefore, the value close to one has the greater relative error.
Common mistake
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