How would I calculate this average, given the minus signs in the calculation?
Average = 0.00% + -8.06% + -5.82% + 0.00% + -3.42% / 5 = ?
just add and divide, not sure what is the problem.
(-8.06-5.82-3.42 )/5=____
The easier way is to take the average of the five trials, then calculate percent error on that average. I think you can get the same answer if you add the above numbers, with respect to sign, and divide by 5 but I' not positive about that.
so what I said was incorrect, again?
No, your answer is not wrong. I think it is correct; it just isn't the easier way to get the answer. I THINK if we take the numbers in the post, add them with respect to sign, and divide by five (which is your answer) we will get the average percent error. But the easier way is to average the five trials and determine the percent error on that average. Or at least I think it's easier that way.
what answer should I get?
I didn't know he wanted the average % error All he said was that he wanted to know how to get the average of the numbers and if it wasn't percent error but just math it would be that way. BUT if it was in the context of his titration experiment then yes, it would be easier that way and that's the way I did the percent error calculation when I did Quant lab.
What answer did you get?
0.00% + -8.06% + -5.82% + 0.00% + -3.42% / 5 = 3.46%
yes that is what I got if you do the average the way I told you.
I think you should go and also try out doing the percent error the way Dr.Bob told you though since that is the way I did this calculation when I had my lab titrations (I didn't know you were doing the % error) and he has much more experience in chemistry. =)