Home
Class 11
PHYSICS
As is known, the result of an experiment...

As is known, the result of an experiment is calculated by performing mathematical operation (like addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, etc.) on several measurements, which have different degrees of accuracy. It has been established that (a) When `x= a+b , Delta x = +- (Delta a + Delta b)`
(b) When `x= a -b , Delta x = +- (Delta a + Deltab)`
(c ) When `x = axxb , (Deltax)/(x) = +- ((Deltaa)/(a) +(Deltab)/(b))`
(d) When `x = (a)/(b) , (Deltax)/(x) = +-((Deltaa)/(a) + (Deltab)/(b))`
Read the above paragraph and answer the following questions : (i) Why is absolute error in `x = (a -b)`, sun of the absolute error in a and b ? (ii) Why is fractional error in `x=(a)/(b)` , sun of fractional error in a and b ? (iii) What do you learn from this ?

Text Solution

Verified by Experts

(i) We have made error twice , in measuring a and in measuring b. Therefore, absoute error in x = (a -b ) has to be sum of the two errors. (ii) Same argument applies to fractional error in x = a//b. (iii) From this study, we learn that errors committed any number of times just add. No mathematical operation can reduce the net overall error. So be warned ! Multiple errors are going to cost you dearly.
Promotional Banner

Topper's Solved these Questions

  • PHYSICAL WORLD AND MEASUREMENT

    PRADEEP|Exercise Problems for Practice|130 Videos
  • PHYSICAL WORLD AND MEASUREMENT

    PRADEEP|Exercise Test Your Grip|50 Videos
  • PHYSICAL WORLD AND MEASUREMENT

    PRADEEP|Exercise Higher Order Thinking Skills|10 Videos
  • OSCILLATIONS AND WAVES

    PRADEEP|Exercise multiple choice Questions|13 Videos
  • PROPERTIES OF BULK MATTER

    PRADEEP|Exercise Multiple choice questions|7 Videos

Similar Questions

Explore conceptually related problems

In a triangle A B C ,(r_1+r_2)/(1+cosC) is equal to (2a b)/(c"Delta") (b) ((a+b))/(c"Delta") (a b c)/(2"Delta") (d) (a b c)/("Delta"^2)

If Delta is an operation such that for integers a and b we have a Deltab=axxa+bxxb-axxb , then find (-3) Delta 2.

Delta_1 = |[x,b,b], [a,x, b] ,[a, a, x]| and Delta_2 = |[x,b],[a,x]| show that d(Delta_1)/ dx = 3 Delta_2

In a triangle ABC, the sides b,c are given.If there is an error delta A in measuring angle A.Then side a is error delta a in the side a is