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Math Forum » Discussions » sci.math.* » sci.math.independent

Topic: Accuracy vs Precision of #s
Replies: 12   Last Post: Aug 13, 2008 1:36 AM

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don

Posts: 20
Registered: 12/6/04
Re: Accuracy vs Precision of #s
Posted: Aug 11, 2008 11:56 PM
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"Gerry Myerson" <gerry@maths.mq.edi.ai.i2u4email> wrote in message
news:gerry-B14E7E.13300612082008@sunb.ocs.mq.edu.au...
> In article <g7qu0l$d2b$1@reader1.panix.com>, "don" <don@panix.com>
>
> If your scale says you weigh 153.49872 pounds, when in fact you weigh
> about 200 pounds, your scale is very precise but not very accurate.
>
> If your scale says you weigh 200 pounds, when in fact you weigh 198.73
> pounds, your scale is fairly accurate, but not very precise.
>
> Precision is about making distinctions;
> accuracy is about getting it right.

Thanks - I like that analogy very much!





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