Accuracy Vs Precision
Easyphysics
Repeated measurements of a length give 12.36, 12.37, 12.36, 12.37 cm while true value is 12.50 cm. This set is?
Select the correct option:
Solution
Incorrect! Answer:
Precise but not accurate
- Precision: Refers to the closeness of two or more measurements to each other (resolution and consistency). Since the values (12.36,12.37,…) differ by only 0.01 cm, the set is highly precise.
- Accuracy: Refers to the closeness of a measured value to a standard or known (true) value.
- Analysis: The mean of the measurements is ≈12.365 cm. The true value is 12.50 cm. The deviation (0.135 cm) is significant relative to the resolution.
- Conclusion: The measurements are consistent with each other (Precise) but far from the truth (Not Accurate). This often indicates a systematic error.
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About This Question
- Subject
- physics
- Chapter
- physics and measurement
- Topic
- accuracy vs precision
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Year
- 2025
Solution
Correct Answer:
Precise but not accurate
- Precision: Refers to the closeness of two or more measurements to each other (resolution and consistency). Since the values (12.36,12.37,…) differ by only 0.01 cm, the set is highly precise.
- Accuracy: Refers to the closeness of a measured value to a standard or known (true) value.
- Analysis: The mean of the measurements is ≈12.365 cm. The true value is 12.50 cm. The deviation (0.135 cm) is significant relative to the resolution.
- Conclusion: The measurements are consistent with each other (Precise) but far from the truth (Not Accurate). This often indicates a systematic error.
This easy difficulty physics question is from the chapter physics and measurement, covering the topic of accuracy vs precision. It appeared in the 2025 exam.
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