1

ERRORS

1.1 INTRODUCTION
There are two kinds of numbers—exact and approximate numbers.
An approximate number x is a number that differs, but slightly, from an exact number X and
is used in place of the latter in calculations.

3 3
The numbers 1, 2, 3, …, , , …, etc., are all exact, and π, 2 , e, …, etc., written in this
4 5
manner are also exact.
1.41 is an approximate value of 2 , and 1.414 is also an approximate value of 2. Similarly
3.14, 3.141, 3.14159, …, etc., are all approximate values of π.

1.2 SIGNIFICANT DIGITS

The digits that are used to express a number are called significant digits. Figure is synonymous with
digit.
Definition 1 A significant digit of an approximate number is any non-zero digit in its decimal
representation, or any zero lying between significant digits, or used as place holder to indicate a
retained place.
The digits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 are significant digits. ‘0’ is also a significant figure except
when it is used to fix the decimal point, or to fill the places of unknown or discarded digits.
For example, in the number 0.0005010, the first four ‘0’s’ are not significant digits, since they
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serve only to fix the position of the decimal point and indicate the place values of the other digits.
The other two ‘0’s’ are significant.
Two notational conventions which make clear how many digits of a given number are signifi-
cant are given below.
1. The significant figure in a number in positional notation consists of:
(a) All non-zero digits and
(b) Zero digits which
1

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 2 NUMERICAL ANALYSIS

(i) lie between significant digits

(ii) lie to the right of decimal point, and at the same time to the right of a non-zero
digit
(iii) are specifically indicated to be significant
2. The significant figure in a number written in scientific notation (M × 10n) consists of all
the digits explicitly in M.
Significant figures are counted from left to right starting with the left most non zero digit.

Example 1.1
Number Significant figures No. of Significant figures

37.89 3, 7, 8, 9 4
5090 5, 0, 9 3
7.00 7, 0, 0 3
0.00082 8, 2 2
0.000620 6, 2, 0 3
5.2 × 104 5, 2 2
3.506 × 10 3, 5, 0, 6 4
8 × 10–3 8 1

1.3 ROUNDING OFF NUMBERS

With a computer it is easy to input a vast number of data and perform an immense number of
calculations. Sometimes it may be necessary to cut the numbers with large numbers of digits. This
process of cutting the numbers is called rounding off numbers. In rounding off a number after a
computation, the number is chosen which has the required number of significant figures and which
is closest to the number to be rounded off. Usually numbers are rounded off according to the
following rule.
Rounding-off rule In order to round-off a number to n significant digits drop all the digits to the
right of the nth significant digit or replace them by ‘0’s’ if the ‘0’s’ are needed as place holders,
and if this discarded digit is
1. Less than 5, leave the remaining digits unchanged
2. Greater than 5, add 1 to the last retained digit
3. Exactly 5 and there are non-zero digits among those discarded, add unity to the last retained
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digit
However, if the first discarded digit is exactly 5 and all the other discarded digits are ‘0’s’, the
last retained digit is left unchanged if even and is increased by unity if odd.
In other words, if the discarded number is less than half a unit in the nth place, the nth digit
is unaltered. But if the discarded number is greater than half a unit in the nth place, the nth digit is
increased by unity.
And if the discarded number is exactly half a unit in the nth place, the even digit rule is applied.

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 ERRORS 3

Example 1.2
Number Rounded-off to
Three figures Four figures Five figures

00.522341 00.522 00.5223 00.52234

93.2155 93.2 93.22 93.216
00.66666 00.667 00.6667 00.66667

Example 1.3
Number Rounded-off to
Four significant figures

9.6782 9.678
29.1568 29.16
8.24159 3.142
30.0567 30.06

1.4 ERRORS
One of the most important aspects of numerical analysis is the error analysis. Errors may occur at
any stage of the process of solving a problem.
By the error we mean the difference between the true value and the approximate value.
∴ Error = True value – Approximate value.
1.4.1 Types of Errors
Usually we come across the following types of errors in numerical analysis.
(i) Inherent Errors. These are the errors involved in the statement of a problem. When a problem
is first presented to the numerical analyst it may contain certain data or parameters. If the data or
parameters are in some way determined by physical measurement, they will probably differ from the
exact values. Errors inherent in the statement of the problem are called inherent errors.
(ii) Analytic Errors. These are the errors introduced due to transforming a physical or math-
ematical problem into a computational problem. Once a problem has been carefully stated, it is time
to begin the analysis of the problem which involves certain simplifying assumptions. The functions
involved in mathematical formulas are frequently specified in the form of infinite sequences or series.
For example, consider
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x3 x5 x 7
sin x = x − + − + ...
3! 5! 7!
If we compute sin x by the formula

x3 x5
sin x = x − + ,
3! 5!
then it leads to an error. Similarly the transformation ex –x = 0 into the equation

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 4 NUMERICAL ANALYSIS

F1 − x + x − x I − x = 0 ,
GH 3! JK
2 3

2!

involves an analytical error.

The magnitude of the error in the value of the function due to cutting (truncation) of its series
is equal to the sum of all the discarded terms. It may be large and may even exceed the sum of the
terms retained, thus making the calculated result meaningless.
(iii) Round-off errors. When depicting even rational numbers in decimal system or some other
positional system, there may be an infinity of digits to the right of the decimal point, and it may not
be possible for us to use an infinity of digits, in a computational problem. Therefore it is obvious
that we can only use a finite number of digits in our computations. This is the source of the so-
called rounding errors. Each of the FORTRAN Operations +, –, *, /, **, is subject to possible round-
off error.
To denote the cumulative effect of round-off error in the computation of a solution to a given
computational problem, we use the computational error and the computational error can be made
arbitrarily small by carrying all the calculations to a sufficiently high degree of precision.
Definition 2 By the error of an approximate number we mean the difference between the exact
number X, and the given approximate number x.
It is denoted by E (or by ∆)
E = ∆ = X – x.
Note An exact number may be regarded as an approximate number with error zero.
Definition 3 The absolute error of an approximate number x is the absolute value of the difference
between the corresponding exact number X and the number x. It is denoted by EA. Thus

EA = X − x
Definition 4 The limiting error of an approximate number denoted by ∆x is any number not less
than the absolute error of that number.
Note From the definition we have

E A = X − x ≤ ∆x .
Therefore X lies within the range
x – ∆x ≤ X ≤ x + ∆x
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Thus we can write X = x ± ∆x

Definition 5 The relative error of an approximate number x is the ratio of the absolute error of
the number to the absolute value of the corresponding exact number X, where X ≠ 0 . It is denoted b g
by ER (or by δ)

EA
ER = δ = .
X

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 ERRORS 5

Definition 6 The limiting relative error δx of a given approximate number x, is any number not
less than the relative error of that number.
From the definition it is clear that
E R ≤ δx ,

EA
i.e., ≤ δx ,
X

⇒ E A ≤ X δx

In practical situations X ≈ x. Therefore we may use ∆x = x δx .

If ∆x denotes the limiting absolute error of x then

EA ∆x
ER = ≤ , (where x > 0, x > 0 and ∆x < x).
X x – ∆x

∆x
Thus we can write δx = , for the limiting error of the number x.
x – ∆x
Definition 7 The percentage error is 100 times the relative error. It is denoted by Ep.
∴ Ep = ER × 100.
1.5 RELATIVE ERROR AND THE NUMBER OF CORRECT DIGITS
The relationship between the relative error of an approximate error and the number of correct digits:
Any positive number x can be represented as a terminating or non-terminating decimal as
follows:

x = α m 10 m + α m − 110m − 1 + ... + α m − n + 110 m − n + 1 + ... (1)

where αi are the digits of the number x, i.e., (αi = 0, 1, 2, 3, …, 9) and α m ≠ 0 (m is an integer).
For example: 1734.58 = 1.103 + 7.102 + 3.101 + 4.100 + 5.10–1 + 8.10–2 + …
Now we introduce the notation of correct digits of an approximate number.
Definition 8 If the absolute error of an approximate number does not exceed one half unit in the
nth place, counting from left to right then we say that the first n significant digits of the approximate
number are correct.
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If x denotes an approximate number as represented by (1) taking the place of an exact number
X, we can write

FG 1 IJ 10
H 2K
m − n +1
E A = | X − x| ≤

then by definition the first digits α m , α m −1 , α m − 2 , ..., α m − n +1 of this number are correct.
For example if X = 73.97 and the number x = 74.00 is an approximation correct to three digits,
since

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 6 NUMERICAL ANALYSIS

1
X − x = 0.03 < (10)1− 3 + 1 ,
2

i.e., E A = 0.03 <

1
2
b g
01
. .

Note 1. All the indicated significant digits in mathematical tables are correct.
2. Sometimes it may be convenient to say that the number x is the approximation to an exact number
X to n correct digits. In the broad sense this means that the absolute error EA does not exceed
one unit in the nth significant digit of the approximate number.

Theorem If a positive number x has n correct digits in the narrow sense, the relative error ER of

F 1 I divided by the first significant digit of the given number or

this number does not exceed G J
n −1

H 10 K
1 F 1I
G J , where α is first significant digit of number x.
n −1

α H 10 K
E ≤ R m
m

Proof Let
x = α m 10 m + α m – 110m – 1 + ... + α m – n + 110 m – n+1 + ...,
( where α m ≥ 1)
denote an approximate value of the exact number X and let it be correct to n digits.
Then by definition we have

EA = X − x ≤
1
2
b g
10
m − n +1
,

1
Therefore X ≤x– (10) m − n + 1 .
2
If x is replaced by a definitely smaller number αm10m we get

1 m − n +1
X ≥ α m 10m − 10 ,
2

FG IJ
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1 m 1
⇒ X ≥
2 H
10 2α m − n − 1 ,
10 K
∴ X ≥
1
2
10 b g b2α
m
m −1. g

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 ERRORS 7

Since
2 α m − 1 = α m + ( α m − 1) ≥ α m

1 m
we get X ≥ 10 α m .
2
1 m− n +1
E A 2 10
∴ ER = ≤ .
X 1
α 10 m
2 m

1 FG 1 IJ n −1
⇒ ER ≤
αm H 10 K ,

proving the theorem.

1 FG 1 IJ n −1
Corollary 1 The limiting relating error of the number x is δx =
αm H 10K , where δ m is the

significant digit of the number x.

Corollary 2 If the number x has more than two correct digits that is n ≥ 2 , then for all practical
purpose the formula

b g 1 1 FG IJ n −1
E R = δR =
2α m 10 H K holds.

1.5.1 Important Rules

Rule 1 If x is the approximate value of X correctly rounded to m decimal places then
1
X −x ≤ × 10− m
2
Rule 2 If x is the approximate value of X, after truncating to k digits, then
X −x
< 10 − k + 1
X
Rule 3 If x is the approximate value of X, after rounding-off to k digit, then
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X −x 1
< × 10 − k + 1
X 2
Rule 4 If x is the approximate value of X correct to m significant digits, then
X −x
< 10 − m
X

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 8 NUMERICAL ANALYSIS

Rule 5 If a number is correct to n significant figures, and the first. Significant digit of the number
1
is α m , then the relative error E R < .
α m 10n − 1

Example 1.4 How many digits are to be taken in computing 20 so that the error does not exceed 0.1%?

Solution The first digit of 20 is 4.

∴ α m = 4 , E R = 0. 001

1 FG 1 IJ n −1
1
∴
αm H 10 K =
4.104 − 1
≤ 0.001

⇒ 10n – 1 ≥ 250
∴ n ≥ 4.

Example 1.5 If X = 8 and the exact decimal representation of X is 0.888 …, verify rule 1, numerically when X is
9
rounded-off to three decimal digits.

8
Solution We have X = , k = 3
9
The decimal representation of X rounded-off to three decimal digits is x = 0.889
Then

8 8 889
EA = − 0.889 = −
9 9 1000

8000 − 8001 −1
= =
9 × 10 3
9 × 10 3

1 1
= × 10 −3 < × 10 −3
9 2

1
∴ EA < × 10 −3
2
Hence, rule 1 is verified.
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1.5.2 Tables for Determining the Limiting Relative Error from the
Number of Correct Digits and vice-versa
It is easy to compute the limiting relative error of an approximate number when it is written with
indicated correct digits. The table given below indicates the relative error as a percentage of the
approximate number depending upon the number of correct digits (in the broad sense) and on the
first two significant digits of the number, counting from left to right.

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 ERRORS 9

Relative error (in %) of numbers correct to n digits.

First two significant n

digits 2 3 4

10–11 10 1 0.1
12–13 8.3 0.83 0.083
14, …, 16 7.1 0.71 0.071
17, …, 19 5.9 0.59 0.059
20, …, 22 5 0.5 0.05
23, …, 25 4.3 0.43 0.043
26, …, 29 3.8 0.38 0.038
30, …, 34 3.3 0.33 0.033
35, …, 39 2.9 0.29 0.029
40, …, 44 2.5 0.25 0.025
45, …, 49 2.2 0.22 0.022
50, …, 59 2 0.2 0.02
60, …, 69 1.7 0.17 0.017
70, …, 79 1.4 0.14 0.14
80, …, 89 1.2 0.12 0.012
90, …, 99 1.1 0.11 0.011

The table below gives upper bounds for relative errors (in %) that ensure a given approximate value,
a certain number of correct digits in the broad sense depending on its first two digits.
Number of correct digits of an approximate number depending on the limiting relative error (in %).

First two significant n

digits 2 3 4

10–11 4.2 0.42 0.042

12–13 3.6 0.36 0.036
14, …, 16 2.9 0.29 0.029
17, …, 19 2.5 0.25 0.025
20, …, 22 1.9 0.19 0.019
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23, …, 25 1.9 0.19 0.019

26, …, 29 1.7 0.17 0.017
30, …, 34 1.4 0.14 0.014
35, …, 39 1.2 0.12 0.012
40, …, 44 1.1 0.11 0.011
45, …, 49 1 0.1 0.01
50, …, 54 0.9 0.09 0.009

Contd.

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 10 NUMERICAL ANALYSIS

First two significant n

digits 2 3 4

55, …, 59 0.8 0.08 0.008

60, …, 69 0.7 0.07 0.007
70, …, 79 0.6 0.06 0.006
80, …, 99 0.5 0.05 0.005

1.6 GENERAL ERROR FORMULA

Let u be a function of several independent quantities x1, x2, …, xn which are subject to errors of
magnitudes ∆x1, ..., ∆xn respectively. If ∆u denotes the error in u then

b
u = f x1 , x2 , ..., xn g
b
u + ∆u = f x1 + ∆x1 , x2 + ∆x2 , ..., xn + ∆xn . g
Using Taylor’s theorem for a function of several variables and expanding the right hand side
we get

b
u + ∆u = f x1 , x2 , ..., xn + ∆x1 g ∂f
∂x1
+ ∆x2
∂f
∂x2
+... + ∂xn
∂f
∂xn
+

terms involving ∆xi b g 2

, etc.,

∂f ∂f ∂f
u + ∆u = u + + ∆x1 ∆x2 + L + ∆xn +
∂x1 ∂x2 ∂x

terms involving ∆xi b g 2

, etc.

The errors ∆x1 , ∆x2 , ..., ∆xn , are very small quantities. Therefore, neglecting the squares and
higher powers of ∆xi , we can write

∂f ∂f ∂x
∆u ≈ ∆x1 + ∆x2 + ... + ∆xn . (1)
∂x1 ∂x2 ∂xn
The relative error in u is

∆ u 1 ∂u FG
∂u ∂u IJ
ER = = ∆x1 +
H ∆x2 + ... + ∆xn .
K (2)
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u u ∂x1 ∂x 2 ∂x n
FGQ ∂f ∂u IJ
H ∂x i
=
∂xi K
(i = 1, 2, ..., n)
Formula (2) is called general error formula.

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 ERRORS 11

1.7 APPLICATION OF ERRORS TO THE FUNDAMENTAL OPERATIONS

OF ARITHMETIC
(i) Addition
Let u = x1 + x2 + ... + xn
then ∆u = E A = ∆x1 + ∆x2 + ... + ∆xn
Thus the absolute error of an algebraic sum of several approximate numbers does not exceed
the sum of the absolute errors of the numbers.
Note To add numbers of different absolute accuracies the following rules are useful:
(a) Find the numbers with the least number of decimal places and leave them unchanged.
(b) Round-off the remaining numbers retaining one or two more decimal places than those with the smallest
number of decimals.
(c) Add the numbers, taking into account all retained decimals.
(d) Round-off the result obtained by reducing it by one decimal.
(ii) Subtraction
Let u = x1 − x2

and ∆x1 , ∆x2 denote the errors in x1 and x2 respectively then

∆u = ∆x1 − ∆x2 .

∆x1 , ∆x2 may be positive or negative therefore to obtain the maximum error we take

E R ≈ ∆x1 + ∆x2
Note When the numbers are nearly equal most of the significant numbers from the left may disappear which may
lead to serious types of errors. Therefore following ways are found useful to lessen the inaccuracy.
1. Each of the numbers may be approximated with sufficient accuracy before subtraction.
2. The given expression may transformed.
(iii) Multiplication
(a) A simple formula for the absolute error in a product of two numbers is given below.
Let X = x1 x2, and EA denotes the absolute error in the product of the given numbers then
b
E A = x1 + ∆x1 g bx 2 g
+ ∆x2 − x1 x2
= x1∆x2 + x2 ∆x1 + ∆x1 ⋅ ∆x2 ,
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⇒ E A = x1 ∆x2 + x2 ∆x1 ( approximately).

and the relative error in X is given by
EA ∆X ∆x ∆x2
ER = = = 1 +
X X x1 x2
(b) The relative error in the product of n numbers is given below:
Let X = x1, x2, …, xn and ∆x1 , ∆x2 , ..., ∆xn , denote the absolute errors in x1, x2, …, xn
respectively. Then the relative error in X is given by

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 12 NUMERICAL ANALYSIS

∆X ∆x ∆x ∆x
ER = = 1 + 2 + ... + n
X x1 x2 xn
(iv) Division
For formula for the absolute error of a quotient can be found as shown under:

x1
Let EA denote the absolute error in the
x2

x1 + ∆x1 x
EA = − 1
x2 + ∆x2 x2

x1x2 + x2 . ∆x1 − x1x2 − x1 . ∆x2

=
x2 ( x2 + ∆x2 )

FG x ∆x − x ∆x IJ
H xx K
2 1 1 2
x1
x ∆x − x1∆x2
= 2 1
b g b x + ∆x g
1 2
=
x2 x2 + ∆x2 2 2

FG ∆x ∆x2 IJ x1 LM ∆x − ∆x OP
Hx −
K Nx x Q
1 1 2
x1
x2 x2
FG1 + ∆x IJ
1 2
=
1
=
x2 + ∆x2
H x K
2

=
x1 LM ∆x 1
−
∆x 2 OP
Nx Q
, approximately.
x2 1 x2
Example 1.6 Round-off 27.8793 correct to four significant figures.
Solution The number 27.8793 rounded-off to four significant figures is 27.88.
Example 1.7 Round-off the number 0.00243468 to four significant figures.
Solution The rounded-off number is 0.002435.
Example 1.8 Find the sum of the approximate numbers 0.348, 0.1834, 345.4, 235.2, 11.75, 0.0849, 0.0214, 0.000354
each correct to the indicated significant digits.
Solution 345.4 and 235.4 are numbers with the least accuracy whose absolute error may attain 0.1. Rounding the
remaining numbers to 0.01 and adding we get
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345.4 + 235.2 + 11.75 + 9.27 + 0.35 + 0.18 + 0.08 + 0.02 + 0.00 = 602.25.

Applying the even-digit rule for rounding the result we get the sum to be equal to 602.2.
∴ The sum of the given numbers = 602.2.
Example 1.9 Find the number of significant figures in the approximate number 11.2461 given its absolute error as
0.25 × 10–2.
Solution Given that absolute error = 0.25 × 10–2 = 0.0025.
∴ The number of significant figure is 4.

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 ERRORS 13

Example 1.10 Find the product 349.1 × 863.4 and state how many figures of the result are trust worthy, assuming
that each number is correct to four decimals.
Solution Let x1 = 349.1. |∆x1| < 0.05
x2 = 863.4, |∆x2| < 0.05
and u = x1 x2
then u = x1x2 = 349.1 × 863.4 = 301412.94

∆u ∆x1 ∆ x2 0. 05 0. 05
now ≤ + ≤ +
u x1 x2 x1 x2

| ∆u|
≤ ( 0. 05)
RS1
+
1 UV
= ( 0. 05) 1
LM
| x | + | x2 | OP
⇒ | u| T
| x1| | x2 | W N
| x1| | x2 | Q
| ∆u| ≤ ( 0. 05) | u|
LM | x | + | x | OP = 0.05 b| x | + | x |g
1 2
⇒
N |u| Q 1 2

⇒ | ∆u| ≤ (0. 05) 349.1 + 863. 47 = 60. 6285 ~ 60.63

Therefore; the true value of u lies between
301412.94 – 60.63 and 301412.94 + 60.63
i.e., 301352.31 and 301473.559
i.e., 3014 × 102 and 3015 × 102
We infer that; only the first three figures are reliable.

Example 1.11 Find the difference 2.01 − 2 to three correct digits.

Solution We know that 2.01 = 141774469

. ... and 2 = 141421356
. ...
Let X denote the difference

∴ X = 2.01 − 2
= (1.41774469 ...) – (1.41421356 ...)
= 0.00353
= 3.53 × 10–3.
Example 1.12 If ∆x = 0.005, ∆y = 0.001 be the absolute errors in x = 2.11 and y = 4.15, find the relative error in
the computation of x + y.
Solution x = 2.11, y = 4.15
∴ x + y = 2.11 + 4.15 = 6.26,
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and ∆x = 0.005, ∆y = 0.001

⇒ ∆x + ∆y = 0.005 + 0.001 = 0.006.
∴ The relative error in (x + y) is
∆x + ∆y 0.006
ER =
bx+ y
=
6.26g
= 0.000958.
The relative error in (x + y) = 0.001 (approximately).

Rao, G Shanker. Numerical Analysis, New Age International Ltd, 2006. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/inflibnet-ebooks/detail.action?docID=431527.
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 14 NUMERICAL ANALYSIS

5xy 2
Example 1.13 Given that u = ∆x , ∆y and ∆z denote the errors in x, y and z respectively such that x = y
z3
= z = 1 and ∆x = ∆y = ∆z = 0.001 , find the relative maximum error in u.
Solution We have
∂u 5 y 2 ∂u 10 xy ∂u − 15xy 2
= 3 , = 3 , =
∂x z ∂y z ∂z z4
∂u ∂u ∂u
∴ ∆u = ∆x + ∆y + ∆z
∂x ∂y ∂z

⇒ b∆ug max
=
∂u
∂x
∆x +
∂u
∂y
∆y +
∂u
∂z
∆z

5y 2 10 xy −15xy 2
= ∆x + ∆y + ∆z (1)
z3 z3 z4

Substituting the given values in (1) and using the formula to find the relative maximum error we get

bE gR max =
b ∆u g max
=
0.03
= 0.006.
u 5
Example 1.14 If X = 2.536, find the absolute error and relative error when
(i) X is rounded and
(ii) X is truncated to two decimal digits.
Solution
(i) Here X = 2.536
Rounded-off value of X is x = 2.54
The Absolute Error in X is
EA = |2.536 – 2.54|
= |– 0.004| = 0.004

0.004
Relative Error = ER = = 0.0015772
2.536
= 1.5772 × 10–3.
(ii) Truncated Value of X is x = 2.53
Absolute Error EA = |2.536 – 2.53| = |0.006| = 0.006
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EA 0.006
∴ Relative Error = ER =
X
=
2.536
= 0.0023659

= 2.3659 × 10–3.

22
Example 1.15 If π = is approximated as 3.14, find the absolute error, relative error and relative percentage error.
7
22 22 − 2198
.
Solution Absolute Error = EA = − 314
. =
7 7

Rao, G Shanker. Numerical Analysis, New Age International Ltd, 2006. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/inflibnet-ebooks/detail.action?docID=431527.
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 ERRORS 15

0.02
= = 0.002857.
7

0.002857
Relative Error ER = = 0.0009
22 / 7
Relative Percentage Error EP = ER × 100 = 0.0009 × 100
= 0.09
∴ EP = 0.09%.
Example 1.16 The number x = 37.46235 is rounded off to four significant figures. Compute the absolute error, relative
error and the percentage error.
Solution We have X = 37.46235; x = 37.46000

Absolute error = X − x = 37. 46235 − 37. 46000

E A = 0. 00235

X −x 0. 00235
Er = = = 6. 27 × 10−5
x 37. 46235

E P = Er × 100 = 6. 27 × 10−3

Exercise 1.1

1. Round-off the following numbers to two decimal places.

(a) 52.275 (b) 2.375 (c) 2.385 (d) 81.255 (e) 2.375
2. Round-off the following numbers to three decimal places.
(a) 0.4699 (b) 1.0532 (c) 0.0004555 (d) 0.0028561 (e) 0.0015
3. Round-off the following numbers to four decimal places.
(a) 0.235082 (b) 0.0022218 (c) 4.50089 (d) 2.36425 (e) 1.3456
4. The following numbers are correct to the last digit, find the sum.
(a) 2.56, 4.5627, 1.253, 1.0534
(b) 0.532, 7.46571, 1.501, 3.62102
(c) 1.3526, 2.00462, 1.532, 28.201, 31.0012
(d) 5.2146, 20.12, 11.2356, 1.8948
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5. Find the relative error in computation of

x – y for x = 12.05 and y = 8.02 having absolute errors ∆x = 0.005 and ∆y = 0.001.
6. Find the relative error in computation of x – y for x = 9.05 and y = 6.56 having absolute errors ∆x = 0.001
and ∆y = 0.003 respectively.
7. Find the relative error in computation of x + y for x = 11.75 and y = 7.23 having absolute errors ∆x = 0.002
and ∆y = 0.005.
8. If y = 4x6 – 5x, find the percentage error in y at x = 1, if the error is x = 0.04.

Rao, G Shanker. Numerical Analysis, New Age International Ltd, 2006. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/inflibnet-ebooks/detail.action?docID=431527.
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 16 NUMERICAL ANALYSIS

5
9. If be represented approximately by 0.8333, find (a) relative error and (b) percentage error.
6
10. If f (x) = 4 cos x – 6x, find the relative percentage error in f (x) for x = 0 if the error in x = 0.005.

4
11. Find the relative percentage error in the approximate representation of by 1.33.
3
12. Determine the number of correct digits in the number x given its relative error ER.
(a) x = 386.4, ER = 0.3
(b) x = 86.34, ER = 0.1
(c) x = 0.4785, ER = 0.2 × 10–2
13. Determine the number of correct digits in the number x, given its absolute error EA.
(a) x = 0.00985, EA = 0.1 × 10–4
(b) x = –33.783, EA = 0.3 × 10–2
(c) x = 48.2461, EA = 0.21 × 10–2
(d) x = 841.256, EA = 0.1
(e) x = 0.4942, EA = 0.24 × 10–2

14. Evaluate X = 5. 01 − 5 correct to three significant figures.

2
15. If is approximated to 0.6667. Find
3
(a) absolute error
(b) relative error and
(c) percentage error
16. Given X = 66.888. If x is rounded to 66.89 find the absolute error.

1
17. If is approximated by 0.333 find
3
(a) absolute error
(b) relative error and
(c) relative percentage error

5xy 2
18. If u = and error in x, y, z be 0.001, 0.002, and 0.003, compute the relative error in u. Where x = y =
z3
z = 1.
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19. If the true value of a number is 2.546282 and 2.5463 is its approximate value; find the absolute error, relative
error and the percentage error in the number.
20. If a = 10. 00 ± 0. 05
b = 0. 0356 ± 0. 002
c = 15300 ± 100
d = 62000 ± 500
Find the maximum value of the absolute error in

Rao, G Shanker. Numerical Analysis, New Age International Ltd, 2006. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/inflibnet-ebooks/detail.action?docID=431527.
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 ERRORS 17

(i) a + b + c + d
(ii) a + 5c – d
(iii) c3
21. If (0. 31 x + 2. 73) / ( x + 0. 35)
where the coefficients are rounded off find the absolute and relative in y when x = 0.5 ± 0.1.
22. If u = 4x2y3/z4 and errors in x, y, z be 0.001 compute the relative maximum error in u when x = y = z = 1.
23. If x = 865 250 is rounded off to four significant figures compute the absolute error, relative error and the
percentage error in x.
24. Find the relative error in the function

y = k x1m1 x2 m2 ... xn mn

25. If y = 3x ( x 6 − 2) find the percentage error in y at x = 1, if the percentage error in x is 5.

26. If u = 10 x 3 y 2 z 2 and errors in x, y, z are 0.03, 0.01, 0.02 respectively at x = 3, y = 1, z = 2. Calculate the
asolute error and relative error and percentage erro in u.
27. If the number X = 3.1416 is correct to 4 decimal places; then find the error in X.

5xy 2
28. If u = and ∆x = ∆y = ∆z = 0.1, compute the maximum relative error in u where x = y = z = 1.
z2
29. Find the relative error in the evaluation of x + y where x = 13.24, y = 14.32, ∆x = 0.004 and ∆y = 0.002.
30. If u = xy + yz + zx, find the relative percentage error in the evaluation of u for x = 2.104, y = 1.935, z = 0.845,
which are the approximate values of the last digit.
31. If u = 4x6 + 3x – 9, find the relative, percentage errors in computing x = 1.1 given that error in x is 0.05%.
32. If a = 5.43 m and b = 3.82 m, where a and b denote the length and breadth of a rectangular plate, measured
accurate upto 1 cm, find error in computing its area.
33. Find the percentage error in computing y = 3x6 – 6x at x = 1, given that ∆x = 0.05.

34. Find the percentage error in computing u = x at x = 4.44, when x is corrected to its last digit.
35. Define the terms : (a) Absolute error
(b) Relative error
(c) Percentage error.
36. Explain the rules of round off.

Answers
Copyright © 2006. New Age International Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. (a) 52.28 (b) 2.38 (c) 2.38 (d) 81.26 (e) 2.37
2. (a) 0.470 (b) 1.05 (c) 0.000456 (d) 0.00286 (e) 0.002
3. (a) 0.2351 (b) 0.002222 (c) 4.501 (d) 2.364 (e) 1.346
4. (a) 9.43 (b) 13.120 (c) 64.091 (d) 38.46
5. 0.00029 6. 0.00034 7. 0.00037 8. 76%
9. ER = 0.00004, Ep = 0.004% 10. 0.75% 11. Ep = 0.25%

Rao, G Shanker. Numerical Analysis, New Age International Ltd, 2006. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/inflibnet-ebooks/detail.action?docID=431527.
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 18 NUMERICAL ANALYSIS

12. (a) 1 (b) 0 (c) 2

13. (a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 4 (d) 3 (e) 2
14. 2.235 × 10–3 15. (a) 0.000033 (b) 0.00005 (c) 0.005 16. 0.002
17. (a) 0.00033 (b) 0.001 (c) 0.1% 18. 0.0141
19. 1.8 × 10–5, 7.07 × 10–6, 7.07 × 10–4%
20. (i) 600.05 (ii) 1000.05 (iii) 5.766 × 1012
25. 0.075 26. 0.036 27. EA = 50, EP = 6.71 × 10–5 EP = 6.71 × 10–3
28. 0.5 29. 0.000217 30. 0.062% 31. 0.55% 32. 0.0925 ~ 0.1 m2
33. 0% 34. 0.05%
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Rao, G Shanker. Numerical Analysis, New Age International Ltd, 2006. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/inflibnet-ebooks/detail.action?docID=431527.
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