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Percent Error Calculator

Percent Error Formula:

\[ \text{Percent Error} = \left| \frac{\text{Experimental} - \text{Theoretical}}{\text{Theoretical}} \right| \times 100\% \]

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1. What is a Percent Error Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the percentage difference between an experimental (measured) value and a theoretical (expected) value.

Purpose: It helps scientists, engineers, and students quantify the accuracy of experimental results compared to expected values.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ \text{Percent Error} = \left| \frac{\text{Experimental} - \text{Theoretical}}{\text{Theoretical}} \right| \times 100\% \]

Where:

Explanation: The absolute difference between values is divided by the theoretical value and converted to a percentage.

3. Importance of Percent Error Calculation

Details: Percent error helps assess measurement accuracy, experimental reliability, and the quality of scientific results.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both experimental and theoretical values. The theoretical value cannot be zero (division by zero is undefined).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a high percent error indicate?
A: High percent error suggests significant deviation between experimental and theoretical values, possibly due to measurement errors or flawed methodology.

Q2: Is a 0% error possible?
A: Yes, when experimental and theoretical values match exactly, though this is rare in practice.

Q3: Why use absolute value in the formula?
A: Absolute value ensures the error is always expressed as a positive percentage, regardless of direction.

Q4: What's an acceptable percent error?
A: This varies by field - 1-5% may be acceptable in some sciences, while engineering might require <1%.

Q5: How does this differ from percent difference?
A: Percent error compares to a known value, while percent difference compares two experimental values.

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