Chemistry
Relative error
The same ratio before the multiplication by 100. Handy as an intermediate step in longer calculations.
The Formula
relative error = |E - T| / |T|
The same ratio before the multiplication by 100. Handy as an intermediate step in longer calculations.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| relative error | Relative error | decimal | The gap as a fraction of the accepted value. |
| E | Experimental value | any unit | The measurement you took. |
| T | Theoretical value | same unit | The accepted or true figure. |
What Each Symbol Means
relative errordecimal
Relative error
The gap as a fraction of the accepted value.
Eany unit
Experimental value
The measurement you took.
Tsame unit
Theoretical value
The accepted or true figure.
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.