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Types of Errors in
Measurements

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Measurement is an integral part of many forms of work, though we have over the years seen a serious
amount of advancement in the field of measurement techniques and Instrumentation. There are still
grey areas in the Measurement process which are known as Errors in Measurement. This topic
though general is important for preparing for the different competitive exams like the SSC JE and
RRB JE examinations. It is also an important topic even for candidates who are preparing for state
government examinations as well. The errors which take place during taking a measurement, some
are inherent and others cannot be avoided are known as Measurement Errors.

Types of Errors in Measurement

Errors in Measuring Instruments are classified as follows.

 Gross Errors
 Systematic Errors
 Random Errors

Types of Errors in Measurement - Gross Error

This class of errors mainly covers human mistakes in reading instruments and recording and calcu-
lating measurement results.

These errors can be avoided by,

 Great care should be taken in reading and recording data.

 Two, three, or even more readings should be taken and readings should be taken at the different read-
ing point to avoid re-reading with the same error.
 Gross Errors take into account mistakes that a person might commit while taking the measurements.
 Gross Errors include mistakes that take place during the time of reading and recording the respective
measurement. This type of error is inherent and it differs from one person to another.
 Gross Error cannot be completely avoided, but it can be mitigated by-Taking extra precautions while
taking the readings and there should be multiple observers who would verify the accuracy of the read-
ings taken.

Types of Errors in Measurement - Systematic Errors

These types of errors are divided into three categories.

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1. Instrumental Errors
2. Environmental Errors
3. Observational Errors

1. Instrumental Errors: These errors arise due to three main reasons:

a) Due to inherent shortcomings in the instrument:

 These errors are inherent I instruments because of their mechanical structure.

 They may be due to construction, calibration or operation of the instruments or measuring devices
 These errors may cause the instrument to read too low or too high

We can reduce these errors to a great extent by using the following methods:

 The procedure of measurement must be carefully planned. Substitution methods or calibration against
standards may be used for the purpose
 Correction factors should be applied after determining the instrumental errors
 The instruments may be recalibrated carefully

b) Due to misuse of the instrument:

A good instrument used in an unintelligent way may give erroneous results.

Failure to adjust the zero of instruments, poor initial adjustments, using leads of too high resistance
etc. are the main reasons

c) Due to loading effects of instruments:

One of the most common errors committed by beginners is the improper use of an instrument for
measurement work.

Ex: A well calibrated voltmeter may give a misleading voltage reading when connected across a high
resistance circuit. The same voltmeter, when connected in a low resistance circuit, may give a more
dependable reading

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The voltmeter has a loading effect on the circuit, altering the actual circuit conditions by the measure-
ment process.

2. Environmental Errors: These errors are due to conditions external to the measuring device in-
cluding conditions in the area surrounding the instrument. These may be effects of temperature,
pressure, humidity, dust, vibrations or of external magnetic or electrostatic field.

The measures employed to eliminate or to reduce these undesirable errors are:

 Arrangements should be made to keep the conditions as nearly as constant as possible. For example,
the temperature can be made constant by keeping the equipment in a temperature-controlled enclo-
sure.
 Using equipment that is immune to these effects. For example, variations in resistance with tempera-
ture can be minimized by using resistance materials which have a very low resistance temperature coef-
ficient.
 Employing techniques which eliminate the effects of these disturbances. For example, the effect of hu-
midity, dust etc. it can be entirely eliminated by hermetically sealing the equipment.
 To reduce the external magnetic or electrostatic fields, magnetic or electrostatic shields may be pro-
vided.
 By applying computed corrections: Normally try to avoid the use of application of computed correc-
tions, but where these corrections are needed and are necessary, they are incorporated for the compu-
tations of the results.

3. Observational Errors: These types of errors occurs due to wrong observations or reading in the
instruments. The wrong observations may be due to parallax. In order to reduce the parallax error
highly accurate meters are needed. Ex: meters provided with mirror scales.

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Types of Errors in Measurement - Random Errors

The happenings or disturbances about which we are unaware are lumped together are called Random
or Residual. Hence the errors caused by these happenings are called Random or Residual errors.
These errors remain even after systematic errors have been taken care of. As the name suggests these
errors occur at any point in time, there is as such no scientific explanation behind these Random Er-
rors. This makes the removal or minimization of Random Errors not possible. For ensuring that the
measurements taken are as close to the real measurement in time one can follow these steps:
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i)Take Multiple readings of the measurements.

ii)Perform a Statistical Analysis of the data, thus collected through Mean, Median, or any form of Sta-
tistical method as per the measurement taken for minimizing the error during the process of meas-
urement.

These errors can be reduced by calculating the mean and median of the number of repeated measure-
ments.

Measurement Error Calculation

There are enormous ways of measuring different errors such as estimating random errors and esti-
mating systematic error. Estimating Random Error: There are several ways to make a reasonable esti-
mation in particular measurement of random errors. And one of the best methods to make a series of
measurements of a given quantity is by calculating mean and standard deviation. Formula to calcu-
late mean and the standard deviation is given below:

Formula to calculate mean:

Here, xi - the result of ith measurement,

N- no of measurements.

Formula to calculate standard deviation

Here, xi - the result of ith measurement,

N- no of measurements.

*if the result is positive, it represents the true value of the quantity.

Rules for estimating Arithmetic Operation

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 In addition and subtraction, the final result should retain as many decimal places as are there in the
number with the last decimal point.

 In multiplication and division, the final result should retain significant figures as are there in the origi-
nal number with the least significant figure.

Significant figures

The measured value of a physical quantity that tells the number of digits in which we have confidence
is known as significant figures. Larger the number of figures obtained in any measurement, greater
the accuracy of the measurement and vice versa.

Important note for counting Significant Figure

 All non-zeros are significant figures, while all the zeros may not be significant.
 All the zeros between two non-zeros are considered as significant.
 All the trailing zeros in any number without a decimal point is significant.
 If the number is greater than 1 without any decimal point, it is considered as significant.
 All the numbers with decimals, the trailing zeros are significant.

Through this article, we were able to look at the different types of errors in measurement and how
they affect the results of the experiment. We also looked at how one can minimize the errors in play.
This topic though general is important for preparing for the different competitive exams like the SSC
JE and RRB JE examinations. It is also an important topic even for candidates who are preparing for
state government examinations as well. Aspirants who are interested in starting their preparation for
the examination can download the Testbook app. Those who want to enjoy exclusive benefits can also
check out our Testbook offers.

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