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Both accuracy and precision are important to scientific measurement. I'll try to explain the difference with a couple of illustrations. I should start by saying, sometimes the words are used interchangeably but they shouldn't be. I consider precision to mean resolution. That is how fine/small a reading you can get.

  • Assume an electronic thermometer (digital display) can display answers to the nearest one hundredth of a degree. But, the thermometer isn't able to measure with that accurately. Maybe it's only accurate to the nearest whole degree. In this case the precision is greater than is supported by the accuracy of the device.
  • Now take the opposite case where the thermometer is able to measure temperature accurately to one hundredth of a degree but the instrument can only display whole degrees. In this case the precision does not support the accuracy.

Ideally the accuracy and precision of an instrument are the same but often that's not the case.

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8y ago
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1mo ago

Accuracy refers to how close a measured value is to the true value, while precision refers to how close individual measured values are to each other. Both accuracy and precision are important in scientific measurement, but accuracy is generally considered more important as it ensures that the measurement is close to the true value being measured. Precision, on the other hand, is important for determining the reliability and repeatability of the measurement.

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Anonymous

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3y ago

i have no idea and neither do yall

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Q: What is the difference between accuracy and precision and which is most important to scientific measurement?
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Why are both accuracy and precision important in making a measurement?

Accuracy is important to ensure that the measurement is as close to the true value as possible, while precision is important for ensuring consistency and reliability in repeated measurements. Having both accuracy and precision allows for confidence in the validity of the measurement and the ability to replicate it reliably.


What is the difference between accuracy and precision and which is the most important to the scientific measurements?

Accuracy refers to how close a measured value is to the true value, while precision refers to the consistency of repeated measurements. Both are important in scientific measurements, but accuracy is generally more crucial as it ensures that the data is reliable and close to the true value being measured. Precision is important for assessing the reliability and reproducibility of the measurements.


What is the difference between accuracy and precision in scientific measurements?

Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true or accepted value, while precision refers to how close repeated measurements are to each other. A measurement can be precise but not accurate if it consistently misses the true value by the same amount. Conversely, a measurement can be accurate but not precise if the measurements are spread out but centered around the true value.


Why is significant figures important is measurement?

Significant figures are important in measurement because they indicate the precision of a measurement. They help communicate the reliability and accuracy of the measurement to others. By using the appropriate number of significant figures, we can avoid misinterpretations and errors in calculations.


How does accuracy differ from precision a scientific measurement?

Accuracy refers to how close a measured value is to the true value, while precision refers to how close multiple measurements are to each other. In scientific measurement, accuracy indicates the system's ability to measure the true value, and precision describes the system's consistency in producing similar results.

Related questions

What is scientific measurement based on?

precision and accuracy


Why is precision in measurement important?

Precision shows how well the object is moving.


Poor precision in scientific measurement may arise from?

poor precision in scientific measurement may arise?


Why are both accuracy and precision important in making a measurement?

Accuracy is important to ensure that the measurement is as close to the true value as possible, while precision is important for ensuring consistency and reliability in repeated measurements. Having both accuracy and precision allows for confidence in the validity of the measurement and the ability to replicate it reliably.


What is the difference between accuracy and precision and which is the most important to the scientific measurements?

Accuracy refers to how close a measured value is to the true value, while precision refers to the consistency of repeated measurements. Both are important in scientific measurements, but accuracy is generally more crucial as it ensures that the data is reliable and close to the true value being measured. Precision is important for assessing the reliability and reproducibility of the measurements.


What is the difference between accuracy and precision in scientific measurements?

Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true or accepted value, while precision refers to how close repeated measurements are to each other. A measurement can be precise but not accurate if it consistently misses the true value by the same amount. Conversely, a measurement can be accurate but not precise if the measurements are spread out but centered around the true value.


Why is significant figures important is measurement?

Significant figures are important in measurement because they indicate the precision of a measurement. They help communicate the reliability and accuracy of the measurement to others. By using the appropriate number of significant figures, we can avoid misinterpretations and errors in calculations.


How does accuracy differ from precision a scientific measurement?

Accuracy refers to how close a measured value is to the true value, while precision refers to how close multiple measurements are to each other. In scientific measurement, accuracy indicates the system's ability to measure the true value, and precision describes the system's consistency in producing similar results.


Why are both accuracy and precision important making a measurement?

because they are both a reliable measurement and is both accurate and precise


What are accuracy and precision and what is the difference between accuracy and precision?

Imagine a dartboard. An accurate measurement would be analogous to hitting the bulls-eye. While a precise measurement is just the tight clustering of shots.


What is a example of a precision measurement is a reading of?

An example of a precision measurement is a reading of


What is precision measure?

Precision is a measure of how close repeated measurements are to each other. It indicates the consistency or reproducibility of results. In the context of statistics or scientific experiments, precision reflects the degree of exactness in the data collected.