Explain the error of a sum or a difference.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) Let two physical quantities $A$ and $B$ have measured values $A \pm \Delta A$ and $B \pm \Delta B$,respectively.
$(i)$ For addition:
Let $Z$ be the quantity obtained by the addition of $A$ and $B$.
$Z = A + B$
Let the error in $Z$ be $\Delta Z$.
$Z \pm \Delta Z = (A \pm \Delta A) + (B \pm \Delta B)$
$Z \pm \Delta Z = (A + B) \pm (\Delta A + \Delta B)$
Since $Z = A + B$,we have $\pm \Delta Z = \pm \Delta A \pm \Delta B$.
For the maximum absolute error,$\Delta Z = \Delta A + \Delta B$.
$(ii)$ For subtraction:
Let the difference of $A$ and $B$ be $Z$.
$Z = A - B$ (where $A > B$)
$Z \pm \Delta Z = (A \pm \Delta A) - (B \pm \Delta B)$
$Z \pm \Delta Z = (A - B) \pm \Delta A \mp \Delta B$
Since $Z = A - B$,we have $\pm \Delta Z = \pm \Delta A \mp \Delta B$.
The possible values for $\Delta Z$ are $\Delta A - \Delta B$ or $-\Delta A + \Delta B$ or $\Delta A + \Delta B$ or $-\Delta A - \Delta B$.
For the maximum absolute error,$\Delta Z = \Delta A + \Delta B$.

Explore More

Similar Questions

An experiment measures quantities $a, b$ and $c$,and quantity $X$ is calculated from $X = ab^2 / c^3$. If the percentage errors in $a, b$ and $c$ are $\pm 1\%, \pm 3\%$ and $\pm 2\%$,respectively,then the percentage error in $X$ will be

The percentage error in the measurement of $g$ is $.....\%$ (Given that $g = \frac{4 \pi^2 L}{T^2}$,$L = (10 \pm 0.1) \, cm$,$T = (100 \pm 1) \, s$)

$A$ torque meter is calibrated to reference standards of mass,length,and time,each with $5 \%$ accuracy. After calibration,the measured torque with this torque meter will have a net accuracy of $............\%$.

Quantity $Z$ varies with $x$ and $y$ according to the equation $Z = x^2y - xy^2$,where $x = 3.0 \pm 0.1$ and $y = 2.0 \pm 0.1$. The value of $Z$ is:

What is called as relative error? Define fractional error.

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo