Measurements close to the correct value are

Biology · Middle School · Mon Jan 18 2021

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Measurements close to the correct value are known as accurate. Accuracy pertains to how close a measurement is to the true or accepted value of the quantity being measured. For example, if you're measuring a length with a ruler and your measurement is close to the actual length, we can say that your measurement is accurate.

Extra: Accuracy is one aspect of good measurement; the other is precision. Precision refers to the consistency or repeatability of measurements—that is, how close the measurements are to each other, regardless of whether they are close to the actual value. It's possible for measurements to be precise but not accurate if they are consistently off from the true value by the same amount each time. In addition, the concept of reliability is often related to precision, while validity is related to accuracy.

In a school setting, when doing various experiments or measurements in subjects like physics, chemistry, or biology, students are encouraged to be both accurate and precise to ensure that their results are reliable and can be verified by others. To improve accuracy, one could use better or more calibrated instruments, carefully follow measurement procedures, and take readings carefully. Improving precision might involve taking multiple measurements and ensuring consistent methods are used each time.