Percentage Error in Multi-Variable Calculation – Rankers Physics
Topic: Unit And Dimensions
Subtopic: Error Analysis

Percentage Error in Multi-Variable Calculation

In an experiment, the percentage error occurring in the measurements of physical quantities \( A \), \( B \) and \( C \) are 1%, 2% and 3% respectively. If a physical quantity \( X \) is such that \( X = \frac{AB^2}{C^3} \), then the percentage error in the calculation of \( X \) can be
1%
2%
3%
4%

Solution:

By taking systematic errors into account, the relative error can be written with signs: \( \frac{\Delta X}{X} = \pm \frac{\Delta A}{A} \pm 2\frac{\Delta B}{B} \pm 3\frac{\Delta C}{C} \). The minimum absolute error is \( |1 + 4 - 9|\% = 4\% \), so 4% is a possible value.

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