IXL | Percent error: word problems

Wesley always estimates his grocery store total as he shops. While at Silver Street Groceries this morning, he estimated his total purchase would be

but it was actually

46.10

What is the percent error for his estimate?

If necessary, round your answer to the nearest tenth of a percent.

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Learn with an example

question

Akira is redecorating her bedroom. She misread the markings on her ruler and thought a picture frame she bought was 5.2 centimeters wide. The frame's actual width was 4.8 centimeters. What is the percent error for her measurement?

If necessary, round your answer to the nearest tenth of a percent.

key idea

The amount of error in a measurement or estimate is the difference between the correct amount and the incorrect amount. It is always written using a positive number.

The percent error expresses the amount of error as a percentage of the correct amount. Here is a formula for percent error:

percent error

amount of error

correct amount

solution

To find the percent error, start by listing the key information from the problem.

Akira thought the picture frame was 5.2 centimeters wide.

The frame was actually 4.8 centimeters wide.

First, find the amount of error. It is the difference between 5.2 and 4.8, which is 0.4.

Now, use the formula to find the percent error.

percent error

amount of error

correct amount

0.4

4.8

0.0833…

You can rewrite this as a percent rounded to the tenths place,

8.3%

So, the percent error for Akira's measurement is about

8.3%

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