“A precise scale is accurate.”
Usage Entry 1458 / 1605 60-second read
Accuracy vs. Precision
Closeness to the true value versus closeness of repeat measurements to each other.
The comparisoni
“A precise scale agrees with itself; an ACCURATE scale agrees with reality. Both can vary independently — a precise but inaccurate scale repeats a wrong number.”
The ruleii
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ACCURACY = right. PRECISION = consistent.
ACCURACY: how close measurements come to the true value. PRECISION: how close measurements come to each other. Possible: precise but inaccurate (consistent error), accurate but imprecise (scattered around the truth), neither, or both.
Memory aidiii
Remember it like this
Accurate = on target. Precise = tight cluster.