MEC101 C4 - Eng. Est. & Approx.

CHAPTER 4
Engineering Estimations and

Approximations
Content of Chapter 4
ENGINEERING ESTIMATION & APPROXIMATIONS
 Errors
 Significant Digits
 Accuracy and precision
 Approximations
1
Learning Objectives
Student should be able to :-
1. Determine the number of significant digits in a

measurement.
2. Define accuracy and precision in measurement.
3. Define systematic and random error
4. Solve problem involving approximations in the
required data.
Introduction
Engineers are problem solvers

Engineers design to satisfy a need and improve the living standard
• Example; water is hot
▫ Hot for bath?
▫ Hot for drinking?
▫ Too hot, not very hot, etc?
• Engineers make measurements of a vast array of physical quantities

pertaining to product or system and environment. Skill in making
and interpreting measurements is an essential element
2
Objectives
• Learn the differences in:
▫ Accuracy/precision,
▫ Random/systematic error,
▫ Uncertainty/error
• Compute true, fractional, and percent error

• Use proper number of significant figures to report
work
Numbers &
Significant Digits
3
Real and Integer Values
Real (exact or approximate) numbers represent continuous

quantities, e.g., length of rod, mass of rock, velocity of a
vehicle, etc. All type of numbers.
L
Integer (exact) numbers represent discrete quantities, e.g.,
number of marbles, number of people, number of
computers, etc. For example, 65, 7, and −756 are
integers; 1.6 and 1½ are not integers.
Accuracy and Precision
4
Accuracy
Accuracy - nearness to the correct value.
Example:
A chemistry instructor makes a 5.00% sugar
solution. Using a sugar test, a team of students
analyzes the solution and reports the following
results:
Student Result
A 5.03%
B 4.96%
C 2.98%
Precision
Precision - repeatability of the measurement
indicates scatter in the data
Example:
A chemistry instructor makes a 5.00% sugar solution.
Using a sugar assay, a team of students analyzes the
solution in triplicate and reports the following results:
Students Results
A 5.03%, 4.97%, 5.07%
B 4.49%, 5.52%, 5.01%
C 2.98%, 7.98%, 9.23%
5
Precision vs. Accuracy
Measurements
• Measurements can be reported as a value plus or
minus a number
• Example;
▫ 32.3±0.2
 32.3, 32.1 and 32.5 are acceptable
▫ 220 oF with ±1%
 Accuracy ±2.2 oF
6
4.4 Errors
Errors
Error is the difference between a measured or
calculated (reported) value and the true value.
Engineers recognize that errors are present in

their professional lives and must be able to:
1. Identify types of errors
2. Numerically express the magnitude of errors
3. Recognize the confidence that may be
placed in a printed number
7
Simple Error Analysis
Suppose a rod of unknown length is measured with a
standard meter stick.
Spend 5 minutes as a team completing this exercise:
What can be said about the length of the rod is reported

as:
7 to 8 cm
7.5 to 7.6 cm
7.57 to 7.59 cm?
Systematic Errors
Systematic Errors - errors that can be
recognized to some regular outside
occurrence.
Engineers must be aware of the presence of

systematic errors and eliminate those possible
and try to calculate and correct for those
remaining.
8
The error associated with systematic errors can
be corrected if the source and magnitude are
known.
Repeating measurements will not eliminate

or reduce systematic errors.
Example of Systematic Errors

• Measuring 1200 m with 25 m steel tape
• If the tape is not exactly 25.000m, there will be

systematic errors 48 times due to :
 Temperature effect;
 Tension difference when measuring tapes
 Smoothness of the surface can be different
9
Random Errors
Accidental (Random) Errors - errors that occur in
a random nature.
The presence of accidental errors is evident by the

scatter in measured data.
It is impossible to predict the magnitude and sign of

the accidental error present in any one
measurement.
Repeating measurements and averaging the results

will reduce the random error in the average.
• Refinement of the apparatus and care in

its use can reduce the magnitude of error
• Awareness of the problem, knowledge of

the degree of precision of the equipment,
skill with measurement procedures, and
proficiency in the use of statistics allow us
to estimate the magnitude of error
10
Definitions
There are three ways to numerically describe
error:
1. True error = Reported value - True value
2. Fractional error = True error / True value
3. Percent error = Fractional error * 100%
Example:
Calculate the true error, fractional error and
percent error for:
Reported Value Correct Value
Distance Distance
feet feet
109 100
1050 1000
45 50
17 20
11
4.5 Approximations
Approximation
• Engineers strive for high-level precision
• Also, it is important to be aware of an
acceptable precision and the time and cost of
attaining it
• Engineers are expected to make an
approximation to the solution before time
and funds invested to increase accuracy
• Engineers rely on their basic understanding
of the problem under discussion coupled with
their previous experience
12
Approximation
The accuracy of these estimates depends on:
1. Consequences/cost of error,
2. Available reference materials,
3. Time allotted for estimate,
4. Experience with similar problems.
Example
• Estimate the number of paper
clips that will fit in a box 16cm by
10cm by 12cm
(1 paper clip = 1.5cm by 1cm by 0.2cm)
1 minutes solution
13
NEXT CLASS
Chapter 5
DIMENSIONS & UNITS
 Physical Quantities
 Dimensions
 Units (SI and USCS)
 Rules in SI
 Dimensional Analysis
14

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CHAPTER 4

Engineering Estimations and

Student should be able to :-

1. Determine the number of significant digits in a

Engineers are problem solvers

• Engineers make measurements of a vast array of physical quantities

• Compute true, fractional, and percent error

Real (exact or approximate) numbers represent continuous

Accuracy and Precision

Engineers recognize that errors are present in

Spend 5 minutes as a team completing this exercise:

What can be said about the length of the rod is reported

Engineers must be aware of the presence of

Repeating measurements will not eliminate

Example of Systematic Errors

• If the tape is not exactly 25.000m, there will be

 Tension difference when measuring tapes

 Smoothness of the surface can be different

The presence of accidental errors is evident by the

It is impossible to predict the magnitude and sign of

Repeating measurements and averaging the results

• Refinement of the apparatus and care in

• Awareness of the problem, knowledge of

1. True error = Reported value - True value

2. Fractional error = True error / True value

3. Percent error = Fractional error * 100%

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