Examples Explaining Propagation of Error:
In physics, measurements are often accompanied by errors due to various factors. These errors can be
broadly classified into three types:
1. Error in Addition or Subtraction:
When adding or subtracting quantities a and b with respective errors Δa and Δb, the maximum absolute
error in the result is given by:
Δx = ± (Δa + Δb)
The rule of thumb is add the absolute errors.
For example if you subtract two quantities, A and B with estimated errors eA and eB, the result will be
A–B with an estimated absolute error of eA + eB.
Example – 01:
The lengths of the two rods are recorded as 25.2 ± 0.1 cm and 16.8 ± 0.1 cm. Find the sum of the lengths
of the two rods with the limit of errors.
Solution:
We know that in addition the errors get added up
The Sum of Lengths = (25.2 ± 0.1) + (16.8 ± 0.1) = (25.2 + 16.8) ± (0.1 + 0.1) = 42.0 ± 0.2 cm
Example – 02:
The initial temperature of liquid is recorded as 25.4 ± 0.1 °C and on heating its final temperature is recorded
as 52.7 ± 0.1 °C. Find the increase in temperature.
Solution:
We know that in subtraction the errors get added up
The increase in temperature = (52.7 ± 0.1) – (25.4 ± 0.1) = (52.7 – 25.4) ± (0.1 + 0.1) = 27.3 ± 0.2 °C.
2. Error in Multiplication or Division:
When multiplying or dividing quantities a and b with respective errors Δa and Δb, the maximum relative
error in the result is given by:
Δx / x = ± (Δa / a + Δb / b)
The rule of thumb is add the relative errors.
For example if you divide two quantities, A and B with estimated errors eA and eB, the relative errors will
be rA = eA/A and rB = eB / B. The result will be A / B with an estimated relative error of rA + rB.
So that the absolute error will be (A / B)x(rA + rB)
Example 03: Work out
First work out the answer just using the numbers, forgetting about errors:
Work out the relative errors in each number:
Add them together:
This value is the relative error in the value you get multiplying the two numbers together – 4 by 7 gives 28.
We could write this as a percentage error (remember to multiply it by 100 to turn it into a percentage):
To write the answer with an absolute error, we need to multiply the 28 by the relative error:
This means our final answer is:
Example 04- Calculating Errors
Given x1 3.500 εx1 = 0.001 and x2 =2.70 εx2 = 0.001
For addition or subtraction, absolute error bound is
(𝜀𝑥1 + 𝜀𝑥2 ) = 0.002
For multiplication or division, relative error bound is
(𝜀𝑥1 ) (𝜀𝑥2 ) 10−3 10−3
(𝜀𝑥1 + 𝜀𝑥2 ) = + = + = 0.7 × 10−3 = 0.07 %
(𝑥1 ) (𝑥2 ) 3.500 2.701
And corresponding absolute error bound for multiplication is
= 𝑥1 𝑥2 𝜀𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑 = ( 3.500)(2.70)(0.7 × 10−3 ) = 7 × 10−3
3. Error in Raised to a Power:
When raising a quantity z to a power of p, q, or r, where a, b, and c are quantities with errors Δa, Δb, and
Δc respectively, the maximum error in the result is given by:
Δz / z = (p * Δa / a) + (q * Δb / b) + (r * Δc / c)
These combinations provide a systematic way to calculate the maximum error or uncertainty in
mathematical operations involving measured quantities, which is crucial for understanding the limitations
and accuracy of experimental results in physics.
Example – 03:
During the study, the flow of a liquid through a narrow tube by experiment following readings were
recorded. The values of p, r, V and l are 76 cm of Hg, 0.28 cm, 1.2 cm3 s-1 and 18.2 cm respectively. If
these quantities are measured to the accuracies of 0.5 cm of Hg, 0.01 cm, o.1 cm3 s-1 and 0.1 cm
respectively, find the percentage error in the calculation of η if formula used is
