Accuracy and Precision September 30, 2021

Read the following situations and determine how does each of the following illustrate the
differences between precision and accuracy.
a. Suppose you are going on a boat trip tomorrow so you decided to checks the weather forecast to know
what wear on the boat. The TV forecaster says it will be between 26° and 31° Celsius (C) at noon the
next day. On that day, you found out that the actual temperature at noon is 28° C. What is the accuracy
and precision of the weather forecasted the day before? Support your answer though explanations with
basis.
Accuracy of Data
Measured Value 1: 26°
measured−true value 26−28
Accuracy= = =−0.07∨−7 %
true value 28
The sign is negative, hence, measured value is 7% less than the expected or true value.
Measured Value 2: 31°
measured −true value 31−28
Accuracy= = =0.107∨−10.7 %
true value 28
The sign is positive, hence, measured value is 10.7% greater than the expected or true value.

Precision of Data
Difference in each data = 31° - 26° = 5°
We can say that the measurements are not precise because the difference between the two
recorded measured value are more than 0.03 or 3%.

b. On the boat, you throw in a fishing line to catch anything for dinner. You were lucky to catch a big fish
(mahi-mahi). Your friends try to estimate the weight of the fish. Their estimates are 16.1 kg, 16.8 kg, and
15.9 kg. However, when you weigh the fish, the actual weight is 18.2 kg. What do you think is the
accuracy and precision of the measurement your friends estimated? Support your answer though
explanations with basis.
Accuracy of Data
Measured Value 1: 16.1 kg
measured −true value 16.1−1 8.2
Accuracy= = =−0.115∨−11.5 %
true value 18.2
The sign is negative, hence, measured value is 11.5% less than the expected or true value.
Accuracy and Precision September 30, 2021

Measured Value 2: 16.8 kg

measured −true value 16.8−18.2
Accuracy= = =−0. 077∨−7 .7 %
true value 18.2
The sign is negative, hence, measured value is 7.7% less than the expected or true value.

Measured Value 3: 15.9 kg

measured −true value 15 . 9−18.2
Accuracy= = =−0.126∨−12 .6 %
true value 18.2
The sign is negative, hence, measured value is 12.6% less than the expected or true value.

Precision of Data
Difference in each data

|16.8−15.9|=0.9|16.8−15.1|=1.7|1 5.9−15. 1|=0.8

We can say that the measurements are not precise because the difference between each
measurement ranges from 0.8 to 1.7, which is more than 0.03.

c. Suppose you are a snack foods manufacturer producing 12 oz. bags of potato chips. The weight of the
bags was tested using a scale. Three samples were picked arid the measures are at 13.2 oz, 13.33 oz, and
13.13 oz. What is the accuracy and precision of the three sample weight of bags of potato chips? Support
your answer though explanations with basis.
Accuracy of Data
Measured Value 1: 13.2 oz
measured −true value 13.2−12
Accuracy= = =0.1∨10 %
true value 12
The sign is positive, hence, measured value is 10% greater than the expected or true value.

Measured Value 2: 13.33 oz

measured −true value 13.33−12
Accuracy= = =0.111∨11.1 %
true value 12
The sign is positive, hence, measured value is 11.1% greater than the expected or true value.

Measured Value 3: 13.13 oz

Accuracy and Precision September 30, 2021

measured−true value 13.13−12

Accuracy= = =0.094∨9.4 %
true value 12
The sign is positive, hence, measured value is 9.4% greater than the expected or true value.

Precision of Data
Difference in each data

|13.33−13.2|=0. 13|13.2−13.13|=0.07 |13.33−13.2|=0. 13

We can say that the measurements are not precise because the difference between each
measurement ranges from 0.07 to 0.13, which is more than 0.03.

d. Suppose you are a snack foods manufacturer producing 12 oz. bags of potato chips. The weight of the
bags was tested using a scale. Three samples were picked and the measures are at 12.02 oz., 11.74 oz.,
and 12.43 oz. What is the accuracy and precision of the three sample weight of bags of potato chips?
Support your answer though explanations with basis.
Accuracy of Data
Measured Value 1: 12.02 oz
measured −true value 12 . 0 2−12
Accuracy= = =0.002∨0.2 %
true value 12
The sign is positive, hence, measured value is 0.2% greater than the expected or true value.

Measured Value 2: 11.74 oz

measured −true value 11.74−12
Accuracy= = =−0.0 22∨−2.2 %
true value 12
The sign is negative, hence, measured value is 2.2% less than the expected or true value.

Measured Value 3: 12.43 oz

measured−true value 12. 43−12
Accuracy= = =0.0 36∨3.6 %
true value 12
The sign is positive, hence, measured value is 0.2% greater than the expected or true value.

Precision of Data
Difference in each data
Accuracy and Precision September 30, 2021

|1 2.43−1 1.74|=0. 69|1 2.02−1 1.74|=0. 28|1 2.43−1 2.02|=0. 41

We can say that the measurements are not precise because the difference between each
measurement ranges from 0.28 to 0.69, which is more than 0.03.
e. Suppose you are a snack foods manufacturer producing 12 oz. bags of potato chips. The weight of the
bags was tested using a scale. Three samples were picked and the measures are at 11.64 oz., 12.35 oz, and
13.04 oz. What is the accuracy and precision of the three sample weight of bags of potato chips? Support
your answer though explanations with basis.
Accuracy of Data
Measured Value 1: 11.64 oz
measured −true value 11.64−12
Accuracy= = =−0.03∨−3 %
true value 12
The sign is negative, hence, measured value is 3% less than the expected or true value.

Measured Value 2: 12.35 oz

measured −true value 12.35−12
Accuracy= = =0.02 9∨2.9 %
true value 12
The sign is positive, hence, measured value is 2.9% greater than the expected or true value.

Measured Value 3: 13.04 oz

measured −true value 13.04−12
Accuracy= = =0.0 87∨8 . 7 %
true value 12
The sign is positive, hence, measured value is 8.7% greater than the expected or true value.

Precision of Data
Difference in each data

|1 3.04−12.35|=0.69|1 2.35−11. 6 4|=0.71|1 3.04−11.64|=1.4

We can say that the measurements are not precise because the difference between each
measurement ranges from 0.69 to 1.4, which is more than 0.03.