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Diff Between Accuracy and Precision

Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the actual value, while precision refers to the consistency and number of significant figures of a measurement. An example is provided of a sensor with bad accuracy and precision that produces varying temperatures far from the actual value. Another example shows good accuracy but bad precision, where temperatures are close to the actual value but inconsistent. Good precision but bad accuracy is also demonstrated, where temperatures are consistent but not close to the actual value. The ideal is shown to be good accuracy and precision, where temperatures are consistent and match the actual value. Maintaining high accuracy and precision requires instrument calibration in meteorology.

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37 views

Diff Between Accuracy and Precision

Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the actual value, while precision refers to the consistency and number of significant figures of a measurement. An example is provided of a sensor with bad accuracy and precision that produces varying temperatures far from the actual value. Another example shows good accuracy but bad precision, where temperatures are close to the actual value but inconsistent. Good precision but bad accuracy is also demonstrated, where temperatures are consistent but not close to the actual value. The ideal is shown to be good accuracy and precision, where temperatures are consistent and match the actual value. Maintaining high accuracy and precision requires instrument calibration in meteorology.

Uploaded by

Kanda Velan
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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[--MAIN HOME--] [--ALL HABYHINTS--] [--FACEBOOK PAGE--]

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN


ACCURACY AND PRECISION?

METEOROLOGIST JEFF HABY

Accuracy is defined as, "The ability of a measurement to match the actual value of
the quantity being measured". If in reality it is 34.0 F outside and a temperature
sensor reads 34.0 F, then than sensor is accurate.

Precision is defined as, "(1) The ability of a measurement to be consistently
reproduced" and "(2) The number of significant digits to which a value has been
reliably measured". If on several tests the temperature sensor matches the actual
temperature while the actual temperature is held constant, then the temperature
sensor is precise. By the second definition, the number 3.1415 is more precise than
the number 3.14

An example of a sensor with BAD accuracy and BAD precision: Suppose a lab
refrigerator holds a constant temperature of 38.0 F. A temperature sensor is tested 10
times in the refrigerator. The temperatures from the test yield the temperatures of:
39.4, 38.1, 39.3, 37.5, 38.3, 39.1, 37.1, 37.8, 38.8, 39.0. This distribution shows no
tendency toward a particular value (lack of precision) and does not acceptably match
the actual temperature (lack of accuracy).

An example of a sensor with GOOD accuracy and BAD precision: Suppose a lab
refrigerator holds a constant temperature of 38.0 F. A temperature sensor is tested 10
times in the refrigerator. The temperatures from the test yield the temperatures of:
37.8, 38.3, 38.1, 38.0, 37.6, 38.2, 38.0, 38.0, 37.4, 38.3. This distribution shows no
impressive tendency toward a particular value (lack of precision) but each value does
come close to the actual temperature (high accuracy).

An example of a sensor with BAD accuracy and GOOD precision: Suppose a lab
refrigerator holds a constant temperature of 38.0 F. A temperature sensor is tested 10
times in the refrigerator. The temperatures from the test yield the temperatures of :
39.2, 39.3, 39.1, 39.0, 39.1, 39.3, 39.2, 39.1, 39.2, 39.2. This distribution does show a
tendency toward a particular value (high precision) but every measurement is well
off from the actual temperature (low accuracy).

An example of a sensor with GOOD accuracy and GOOD precision: Suppose a lab
refrigerator holds a constant temperature of 38.0 F. A temperature sensor is tested 10
times in the refrigerator. The temperatures from the test yield the temperatures of:
38.0, 38.0, 37.8, 38.1, 38.0, 37.9, 38.0, 38.2, 38.0, 37.9. This distribution does show a
tendency toward a particular value (high precision) and is very near the actual




temperature each time (high accuracy).

The goal of any meteorological instrument is to have high accuracy (sensor matching
reality as close as possible) and to also have a high precision (being able to
consistently replicate results and to measure with as many significant digits as
appropriately possible). Meteorological instruments, including radar, need to be
calibrated in order that they sustain high accuracy and high precision.

The ultimate weather education website: http://www.theweatherprediction.com/

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