Distinguish between accuracy and precision.

Distinguish between accuracy and precision.

• A. Precision is closeness to the true value.
• B. Accuracy is closeness to the true value; precision is consistency of repeated measurements.
• C. Accuracy and precision are the same.
• D. Precision is bias; accuracy is variance.

Answer: (B)

Understanding the difference between accuracy and precision is about bias versus variability. Accuracy is how close your measurements are to the true value. Precision is how consistent repeated measurements are with each other. For example, if you weigh a mass and all results cluster tightly around 5.10 g, those measurements are precise but not accurate if the true mass is 5.00 g. If the results scatter widely but average near 5.00 g, they’re accurate on average but not precise. Good measurement quality means both accuracy (near the true value) and precision (tight clustering) are achieved.

Understanding the difference between accuracy and precision is about bias versus variability. Accuracy is how close your measurements are to the true value. Precision is how consistent repeated measurements are with each other.

For example, if you weigh a mass and all results cluster tightly around 5.10 g, those measurements are precise but not accurate if the true mass is 5.00 g. If the results scatter widely but average near 5.00 g, they’re accurate on average but not precise. Good measurement quality means both accuracy (near the true value) and precision (tight clustering) are achieved.