Accuracy and Precision
In science, when we measure things, we want our results to be correct and reliable. This is where accuracy and precision are important.
What is Accuracy?
-
Accuracy means how close a measured value is to the correct or actual value.
-
It shows how correct your measurement is.
What is Precision?
-
Precision means how close your measurements are to each other.
-
It shows how consistent your measurements are, even if they are not correct.
Example:
Let’s say you are weighing something and you get these results:
-
30.01g
-
30.02g
-
30.03g
The actual value is 30.00g.
-
These results are accurate because they are very close to 30.00g.
-
They are also precise because they are very close to each other.
Key Difference:
| Term | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy | Close to the actual value | 30.01g is close to 30.00g |
| Precision | Measurements are close together | 30.01g, 30.02g, 30.03g are close |