Question

If you measure the mass of a model car to be 230 grams, but the actual mass is 218 grams, what is your percent error?

Answer 1

Mass of a model car you measured = 230 grams

Actual mass = 218 grams

Percent error = ?

First subtract the actual value from the value you measured,

230 grams – 218 grams = 12 grams

Now divide 12 grams by the actual mass that is 218 grams:

12 / 218 = 0.055                             

Now multiply 0.055 with 100 to get the percent error;

0.055 x 100 = 5.5%

So, the Percent error is 5.5%.