Mean absolute error – Rankers Physics

Error Analysis: Practice Problem & Solution

Assertion (A): Mean absolute error of a measurement is always positive. Reason (R): Mean absolute error is defined as the magnitude of difference between true value and measured value.  
Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
(A) is true but (R) is false
Both (A) and (R) are false

Short Solution (Best for NEET):

To solve this problem, we apply the core principles of Error Analysis. Understanding the underlying formula is key to arriving at the correct answer below:

Mean absolute error is the arithmetic mean of all absolute errors and is always positive. The definition given in the reason describes individual absolute error rather than the mean absolute error, so R is false.

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