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Chapter Outline
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Significant Digits
4.3 Accuracy and Precision
4.4 Types of Errors and Error Analysis
4.5 Engineering Estimations
4.1 Introduction
Engineers are problem solvers
Engineers design to satisfy a need and improve the living
standard
Example; water is hot
Hot for bath?
Hot for drinking?
Too hot, not very hot, etc?
Objectives
Learn the differences in:
Accuracy/precision,
Random/systematic error,
Uncertainty/error
Compute true, fractional, and percent error
Use proper number of significant figures to report
work
L
Integer (exact) numbers represent discrete quantities, e.g.,
number of marbles, number of people, number of
computers, etc. For example, 65, 7, and 756 are
Significant Digits
Significant Digits
How many?
Number known to:
1 part per 10
etc.
etc.
Significant Digits
Significant Digits
Accuracy
Example:
A chemistry instructor makes a 5.00% sugar
solution. Using a sugar test, a team of students
analyzes the solution and reports the following
results:
Student
Result
A
5.03%
B
4.96%
C
2.98%
Precision
Precision - repeatability of the measurement
indicates scatter in the data
Example:
A chemistry instructor makes a 5.00% sugar solution.
Using a sugar assay, a team of students analyzes the
solution in triplicate and reports the following results:
Students
Results
A
5.03%, 4.97%, 5.07%
B
4.49%, 5.52%, 5.01%
C
2.98%, 7.98%, 9.23%
Measurements
Measurements can be reported as a value plus or
minus a number
Example;
32.30.2
32.3, 32.1 and 32.5 are acceptable
220 oF with 1%
Accuracy 2.2 oF
4.4 Errors
Errors
Systematic Errors
Random Errors
Definitions
Example:
Calculate the true error, fractional error and
percent error for:
Reported Value
Correct Value
Distance
Distance
feet
feet
109
100
1050
1000
45
50
17
20
4.5 Approximations
Approximation
Engineers strive for high-level precision
Also, it is important to be aware of an acceptable
precision and the time and cost of attaining it
Engineers are expected to make an approximation
to the solution before time and funds invested to
increase accuracy
Engineers rely on their basic understanding of the
problem under discussion coupled with their
previous experience
Approximation
The accuracy of these estimates depends on:
1. Consequences/cost of error,
2. Available reference materials,
3. Time allotted for estimate,
4. Experience with similar problems.
Example
Estimate the number of paper
clips that will fit in a box 16cm by
10cm by 12cm
(1 paper clip = 1.5cm by 1cm by 0.2cm)
1 minutes solution