Accuracy Precision

Daruis A.
Sampaga
Talavera Senior High School
Picture Analysis
Which of the two is used to measure a person’s
waistline?
Which of the two is used to measure the
mass of a one-peso coin?
Which of the two is used to measure a small
volume of liquid?
Most Essential Learning Competency
1. Differentiate accuracy from precision

STEM_GP12EU-Ia2
2. Differentiate random errors from
systematic errors
STEM_GP12EU-Ia3
Lesson Objectives
 Differentiate accuracy from

precision
 Differentiate random errors from
systematic errors.
 Appreciate accuracy and precision
in measurement
Accuracy & Precision
Accuracy
 Accuracy – Measure of how close a

measurement is to the correct or
accepted value of the quantity being
measured.
.
Example: Accuracy
 Who is more accurate when measuring a book

that has a true length of 17.0 cm?
Susan:
17.0 cm, 16.0 cm, 18.0 cm, 15.0 cm
Amy:
15.5 cm, 15.0 cm, 15.2 cm, 15.3 cm
Precision
 Precision = describes how closely

measurements are to each other and
how carefully measurements were
made
 Which set is more precise?
18.2 , 18.4 , 18.35

17.9 , 18.3 , 18.85
16.8 , 17.2 , 19.44
Example: Precision
Who is more precise when measuring the same

17.0 cm book?
Susan:
17.0 cm, 16.0 cm, 18.0 cm, 15.0 cm
Amy:
15.5 cm, 15.0 cm, 15.2 cm, 15.3 cm
If you want to tell which set of data is more
precise, For example, let’s say you had the
following two sets of data:
Sample A: 32.56, 32.55, 32.48, 32.49, 32.48.

Sample B: 15.38, 15.37, 15.36, 15.33, 15.32.
find the range (the difference
between the highest and
lowest scores).
Sample A: 32.56, 32.55, 32.48, 32.49, 32.48.

Sample B: 15.38, 15.37, 15.36, 15.33, 15.32.
Subtract the lowest data point from the highest:
Sample A: 32.56 – 32.48 = .08.

Sample B: 15.38 – 15.32 = .06.
Sample B has the lowest range (.06)

and so is the more precise.
A refrigerator thermometer is read
ten times and registers degrees
Celsius as: 39.1, 39.4, 39.1, 39.2,
39.1, 39.2, 39.1, 39.1, 39.4, and
39.1. However, the real temperature
inside the refrigerator is 37 degrees
C.
Precise, but not accurate
The thermometer isn’t accurate (it’s

almost two degrees off the true
value), but as the numbers are all
close to 39.2, it is precise.
Accuary and Precision
and Types of Error
 Objective: Explain precision and

accuracy as they relate to error.
Types of Errors
Uncertainty in measurements can

result from limitations in
accuracy or precision.
These limitations can be
attributed to systematic errors
and random errors.
 Systematic errors are due to
the limitations of the measuring
instruments and the skill or
carefulness of the experimenter
 Random errors are caused by
external factors beyond the
control of the experimenter
such as vibrations, noise,
changes in atmospheric
pressure and friction.
Guide Questions
 What type of error can be traced to

a defect in the measuring
instrument?
 What type of error can be
eliminated through repetition and
averaging?
Systematic or Random Error
errors in measurements of temperature due
to poor thermal contact between the
thermometer and the substance whose
temperature is to be found,
irregular changes in the

heat loss rate from a solar
collector due to changes in
the wind.
Can you hit the bull's-eye?
Three
targets with
three
arrows each
to shoot.
How do Both Precise Neither
they accurate but not accurate
compare? and accurate nor
precise precise
Can you define accuracy vs. precision?

Application: Guide Questions
1. When taking medicines, how
important accuracy and precision are?
2. In the field of engineering, how
important precision and accuracy are?
3. You wanted to measure the mass in
grams of a piece of chalk. What
instrument are you going to use, a
new digital weighing scale or an old
digital weighing scale? Why?
Guide Questions:
1.How will you differentiate
accuracy from precision?
2.How will you differentiate
systematic error from random
error?
Multiple Choice
1.A measure of how close a
measurement is to the correct or
accepted value of the quantity being
measured is called _____________
 a. accuracy b. precision
c. both A and B d. none of these
2. . This type of errors are caused by
external factors beyond the control of
the experimenter such as vibrations,
noise, changes in atmospheric
pressure and friction is ______
 a. systematic b. random error
c.percent error d.mathematical error
 3. The height of the coconut palm tree
is 18 meters. Coco Martin has the
following measurements 17.9m,
18.0m and 18.1m. How will you
describe his measurements?
a. Precise b. Accurate c.
Low precision high accuracy d.
High accuracy high precision
 4. .This type of errors are due to the
limitations of the measuring
instruments and the skill or
carefulness of the experimenter is
referred as ______
 a. systematic b. random error
c.percent error d.mathematical error
 5. . When using a force probe, a
physics student forgets to calibrate
the instrument. This will most likely
result in:
a. A systematic error b. A random
error c. Both A B d. None of the
above
Evaluate whether the following are
precise, accurate or both.
High
Low Accuracy Low Accuracy Accuracy
Low Precision High Precision High
Precision
Thoughts to Ponder
 The game of life is a game

of boomerangs. Our
thoughts, deeds and words
return to us sooner or later
with astounding
ACCURACY.
Thank you!!! 

Accuracy Precision

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Daruis A.

1. Differentiate accuracy from precision

 Differentiate accuracy from

 Accuracy – Measure of how close a

 Who is more accurate when measuring a book

 Precision = describes how closely

18.2 , 18.4 , 18.35

Who is more precise when measuring the same

Sample A: 32.56, 32.55, 32.48, 32.49, 32.48.

Sample A: 32.56, 32.55, 32.48, 32.49, 32.48.

Sample A: 32.56 – 32.48 = .08.

Sample B has the lowest range (.06)

The thermometer isn’t accurate (it’s

 Objective: Explain precision and

Uncertainty in measurements can

 What type of error can be traced to

irregular changes in the

Can you define accuracy vs. precision?

 The game of life is a game

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