Numerical Errors

Lecture 3

Learning goals

Approximation and round off errors

• Significant figures
• Accuracy and precision
• Error definitions
 Significant figures concept of a significant figure
Speedometer reading
Speed? speedometer
48 to 49 kM/h
Approximately, 49 kM/h
What is the reading up to 1 decimal places?
48.8 kM/h?
48.9 kM/h?
Because of the limitation of the instrument,
first two digits can be used with confidence, third digit uncertain
odometer distance travelled by an automobile
Distance travelled? 873244 to 873245 Km automobile speedometer
Approximately 873245 kM and odometer
How many digits can be used with confidence?
Six digit with confidence seventh digit (and higher) uncertain
• Significant figures or digits of a number are those that can be used with confidence
• Significant digits for the following numbers:
• 0.00001845
• 0.0001845
• 0.001845
• Answer: Four, 1845
• Zeroes are not significant figures if used to locate a decimal point (zeros between
decimal point and integers not significant)
• 4.530
• 4.5300
• Four and Five significant digits, respectively
• Zeros right of decimal point and integers are significant
• Significant digits for trailing zeroes of a number?
• For example: what will be significant digits for 45300 ?
• Uncertain
• May be three, four or five depending on whether the zeros are known with
confidence.
• Scientific notation:
• 4.53 x104
• 4.530 x104
• 4.5300 x104
• Numbers known for three, four and five significant digits, respectively
ACCURACY AND PRECISION

• Accuracy refers to how closely a computed

or measured value agrees with the true
value
• Precision refers to how closely individual
computed or measured values agree with
each other

• bull’s-eye represents the truth.

• Inaccuracy (also called bias) is defined as
systematic deviation from the truth.
• Imprecision (also called uncertainty), on
the other hand, refers to the magnitude
of the scatter
Thank You
Any questions?