Worked formula example

Expected Value Zero Percent Error

When the expected value is zero, report absolute error rather than percent error. The example keeps the problem, given values, formula, substitution, and copyable result sentence together so the calculator page can be opened only when values or units change.

Worked examples

StepValue
ProblemExplain why percent error is undefined when expected value is zero.
Given valuesMeasured = 0.2, expected = 0
FormulaPercent error divides by |expected|
CalculationDivision by zero is undefined, so use absolute error instead.
Copyable result sentenceWhen the expected value is zero, report absolute error rather than percent error.

Copyable result sentence

When the expected value is zero, report absolute error rather than percent error.

Common mistakes

  • Dropping units before the expected value zero percent error substitution.
  • Rounding the expected value zero percent error calculation before the final step.
  • Using a formula variant that does not match the known values for expected value zero percent error.