Chemistry
Percent error
The absolute gap divided by the accepted value, expressed as a percentage.
The Formula
percent error = |E - T| / |T| x 100
The absolute gap divided by the accepted value, expressed as a percentage.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| E | Experimental value | any unit | The measurement you took. |
| T | Theoretical value | same unit | The accepted or true figure, used as the denominator. |
| |E - T| | Absolute error | same unit | The size of the gap, ignoring direction. |
What Each Symbol Means
Eany unit
Experimental value
The measurement you took.
Tsame unit
Theoretical value
The accepted or true figure, used as the denominator.
|E - T|same unit
Absolute error
The size of the gap, ignoring direction.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate percent error page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate Percent Error, filed under Science. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.