Chapter 2, Problem 86A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The reason for the percent values to never be negative needs to be explained.

Concept introduction:

The error associated with the experimental value is the difference of the experimental and accepted value.

$\text{Error}=\text{experimental}\text{value}-\text{accepted}\text{value}$

Percent error represents the error as the percentage of the accepted value.

$\text{Percent}\text{error}=\frac{\left|\text{error}\right|}{\text{accepted}\text{value}}\times 100$

Answer to Problem 86A

The percent error values can never be negative because while calculating, the absolute value of error is used which converts any negative number to the positive number.

Explanation of Solution

Percent error represents the error as the percentage of the accepted value.

$\text{Percent}\text{error}=\frac{\left|\text{error}\right|}{\text{accepted}\text{value}}\times 100$

The percent error values can never be negative because while calculating, the absolute value of error is used which converts any negative number to the positive number.

Conclusion

The percent error values can never be negative because while calculating, the absolute value of error is used which converts any negative number to the positive number.