Chapter 2: Problem 100
The expression \(\left|x_{T}-x\right|\) is defined to be the absolute error in \(x\) where \(x_{T}\) is the true value of a quantity and \(x\) is the measured value or value as stored in a computer. If the true value of a quantity is 0.2 and the approximate value stored in a computer is \(\frac{51}{256},\) find the absolute error.
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Understand the Formula for Absolute Error
Identify the Given Values
Convert the True Value to a Fraction
Perform Subtraction in Fraction Form
Convert Fractions to Common Denominator and Subtract
Simplify the Result
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Fraction Subtraction
- Identify the denominators of both fractions.
- Determine the least common denominator (LCD) to create equivalent fractions.
- Convert each fraction to have the LCD as their new denominator.
- Subtract the numerators of these equivalent fractions.
- The result's denominator will be the same LCD you determined earlier.
Converting Decimals to Fractions
- Count the decimal places; here, it is one.
- Rewrite as a fraction with 1 followed by an equal number of zeros as the number of decimal places (i.e., \( \frac{2}{10} \)).
- Simplify the fraction by dividing both numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor (here, that would be 2), resulting in \( \frac{1}{5} \).
Least Common Denominator
- List the multiples of each denominator—or simply factorize them into their prime factors.
- Combine these prime factors to get the smallest product that can be divided by both original denominators.
- For 5 and 256, the LCD is their product due to their nature as co-prime numbers, known to be 1280 in this case.
Error Analysis
- Compare the true value with the recorded or estimated value, aware that absolute error can be positive or negative depending on which is larger.
- Understand that the absolute value in the formula ensures a non-negative result, offering a straightforward decision on precision.
- Recognize that smaller absolute errors indicate more accurate approximations, crucial when analyzing accuracy in calculations.