Errors
An error is a mistake: that is its basic meaning. However, there are some differences in how the word is used in different subjects.
In arithmetic
Elementary errors in arithmetic show a wrong pattern of thought. For example, if a child misplaces the decimal point in some decimal arithmetic, that shows he or she has not understood the idea. By explaining how decimal points should be placed, a teacher can correct all future calculations of this kind. The error is a sign of a general misunderstanding, which, when cured, may never happen again. In this way, errors can help learning.
This idea can be developed in many other subjects. Errors can help learning if corrected, and that is used by many textbooks with end-of-chapter questions. The idea of the questions (which often have end of book answers) is to help the reader find out what needs correcting. The principle of learning is called knowledge of results.
In statistics
A statistical error is the amount by which a sample differs from its expected value. The expected value is based on the whole population from which the individual was chosen.
A tricky point is this:
- The difference between a value in the sample and the (unobservable) population mean is a statistical error
- The difference between a value in the sample and the observable sample mean is a residual.
Computer programming
The word ’error’ can be used to describe a computer program that was not written in the right way. A syntax error is a bit of source code that does not make sense to the computer. A logic error is a mistake in the algorithm used, which might result in problems with the output.
An error may also be an exception, which is something that happens unexpectedly. For example, it is an error to try to write more files onto a disk that is full. Careful programmers write code that can deal with errors that may happen; they can do this by labeling each error with an error code and using exception handling. Continuing to run a program when an error has not been dealt with can cause error avalanche, which means errors pile up and behavior becomes more difficult to predict.
Catastrophes
In a catastrophe like a nuclear accident, even small errors in accuracy and precision can lead to very harmful consequences.
Written for younger readers
Errors, in simpler words
This version comes from Wikijunior, a set of books written for children aged 8 to 11. It is shorter and uses plainer language than the article above.
From Wikijunior: The Book of Estimation
Do you still remember that in measurements, there is no way of getting the exact value? Since our measurements are never accurate, there must be a difference between our measurements and the exact, unobtainable value. That’s why we have error. In this chapter, we will learn how to calculate different kinds of error. Sometimes, we will assume that we know the exact value. Other times, we will try to figure out the largest possible error that will appear.
Skim through the chapters before this one except estimation in calculation. Make sure you understand everything in there. Also, take a look at this problem. Remember it – we will be using it for the rest of the chapter!
- ../Absolute error/
- ../Maximum absolute error/
- ../Accumulated error/
- ../Relative error/
- ../Percentage error/
Where this page comes from
The article above is adapted from “Errors” on Simple English Wikipedia, by its contributors. We removed reference markers, navigation boxes and tables, expanded measurement templates into readable numbers, and kept the prose otherwise intact. The simpler version is adapted from Wikijunior on Wikibooks.
Both sources are published under CC BY-SA 4.0, so this page is published under the same licence. You may share and adapt it, including commercially, as long as you credit the original and keep the same licence.
Worksheets, answer keys and printable layouts elsewhere on K5Print are our own work and are not covered by this licence.