Accuracy introduction

All Textbook Topics - Measurement - Accuracy introduction

Accuracy is a measure of how close a measurement is to the true value. A good practical method will give you accurate results, but you have to take your time to set everything up properly.

Textbook Learning Objectives
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1	When you take a measurement, you get a reading we refer to as the measured value
2	The actual real-world value of what you are trying to measure is called the true value
3	We use measuring tools to try and find the true value
4	When taking a measurement, you may make a mistake or use the measuring tools poorly so your measured value may not be near to the true value
5	Accuracy is a measure of how close a measurement is to the true value
6	To take accurate measurements, you must choose the correct equipment
7	To take accurate measurements, you must follow a good method which factors in steps to specifically improve accuracy
8	To record accurate measurements you must take care to ensure that scales are lined up properly
9	To take accurate measurements, equipment must be properly zeroed (tared)
10	Parallax error causes inaccurate measurements and happens when you view a scale at an angle
11	To take accurate measurements, you must eliminate parallax error (where relevant). You should include reference to this in the practical method