Types of Errors

Types of Errors

## Systematic Errors

### Definition / Concept

Errors that occur in a fixed pattern due to defects in instruments, environment, or experimental methods are called systematic errors.

### Terminologies

- Systematic Error → Error that produces consistent deviation in measurements.

- Instrumental Error → Error caused due to imperfections in measuring instruments.

- Environmental Error → Error caused due to changes in temperature, pressure, humidity, etc.

- Observational Error → Error caused due to limitations of observation methods.

### Conditions / Special Cases

- Systematic errors can be reduced by calibration and proper experimental techniques.

- These errors affect accuracy but not precision.

### Usage

- Used while analyzing experimental measurements.

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## Random Errors

### Definition / Concept

Errors that occur unpredictably due to unknown variations during measurement are called random errors.

### Terminologies

- Random Error → Irregular variation in measured values.

- Mean Value → Average value obtained from repeated measurements.

### Formula

$$\text{Mean Value}=\frac{x_1+x_2+x_3+...+x_n}{n}$$

### Conditions / Special Cases

- Random errors can be reduced by taking multiple measurements.

- They affect precision of measurements.

### Usage

- Used in repeated experimental observations.