what percent error is acceptable

11 months ago 26
Nature

The acceptable percent error depends on the application and the level of accuracy required for the experiment. In general, a margin of error of 10% is considered acceptable. However, for high-precision, medical, or safety experiments, the acceptable error may be 0.1% or lower. At the high school level, its generally acceptable to have 5-10% error for laboratory experiments. In some cases, the measurement may be so difficult that a 10% error or even higher may be acceptable. It is important to consider the context of the measurement or calculation and the potential sources of error that may have contributed to such a large percentage error. Ultimately, the acceptability of a percent error is up to the judgment of the user and the cost of making a mistake.