Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Accuracy refers to how close an approximation is to its corresponding exact value. It indicates how well an approximation represents reality or truth.
Related terms
Precision: Precision refers to how consistent or repeatable multiple approximations are when they are made using similar methods under similar conditions.
Relative Error: Relative error measures how large the absolute error is compared to the magnitude of the exact value, usually expressed as a percentage.
Significant Figures: Significant figures represent meaningful digits in a number and help determine how precise and accurate our results should be based on measurements and calculations.