Question

An experimental calculation of the boiling point of olive oil yields 550°F the actual boiling point of olive oil is 570°F use the values in the box below to set a proportion which can be used to find the percent of error in the experimental calculation.

Answer 1

To calculate the percentage error, the following formula would be applied;

$\begin{gathered} \text{Percentage error}=\frac{|approximate\text{ value-exact value|}}{exact\text{ value}}\times\frac{100}{1} \\ \text{Percentage error}=\frac{|550-570|}{570}\times100 \\ \text{Percentage error}=\frac{20}{570}\times\frac{100}{} \\ \text{Percentage error}=3.50877192 \\ \text{Percentage error}\approx3.5\text{ (nearest tenth of a percent)} \end{gathered}$

ANSWER:

The percentage error, as shown in the calculations above is 3.5 % (to the nearest tenth of a percent)