Anna measured a line to be 19.2 inches long. If the actual length of the line is 18.3 inches, then what was the percent error of the measurement, to the nearest tenth of a percent?

Question

Anna measured a line to be 19.2 inches long. If the actual length of the line is 18.3 inches, then what was the percent error of the measurement, to the nearest tenth of a percent?

Answer 1

The percent error can be calculated using the formula:

Percent error = [ (measured value - actual value) / actual value ] * 100%

Plugging in the given values:

Percent error = [ (19.2 - 18.3) / 18.3 ] * 100%

Percent error = [ 0.9 / 18.3 ] * 100%

Percent error ≈ 0.049 * 100%

Percent error ≈ 4.9%

Therefore, the percent error of the measurement is approximately 4.9%.