Percent error is often expressed as the absolute value of the difference between the true value and the experimental value, divided by the true value:

The vertical lines indicate absolute value. Calculate the percent error for the following measurements:
(a) The density of alcohol (ethanol) is found to be 0.802 g/mL. (True value: 0.798 g/mL.)
(b) The mass of gold in an earring is analyzed to be 0.837 g. (True value: 0.864 g.)

Transcribed Image Text:

true value-experimental value true value percent error -X 100%