Question

A zookeeper predicted the weight of a new baby elephant to be 227 pounds when it was born. The elephant actually weighed 259 pounds at birth. What was the percent error of the zookeeper's prediction?
A.
14.10%
B.
32%
C.
87.64%
D.
12.36%

Answer 1

To calculate the percent error of the zookeeper's prediction, we can use the formula:

\[
\text{Percent Error} = \left( \frac{|\text{Actual Value} - \text{Predicted Value}|}{\text{Actual Value}} \right) \times 100\%
\]

In this case, the actual weight of the baby elephant is 259 pounds, and the predicted weight is 227 pounds.

First, we find the absolute error:

\[
|\text{Actual Value} - \text{Predicted Value}| = |259 - 227| = 32 \text{ pounds}
\]

Next, we plug this into the percent error formula:

\[
\text{Percent Error} = \left( \frac{32}{259} \right) \times 100\%
\]

Calculating the fraction:

\[
\frac{32}{259} \approx 0.1236
\]

Now, multiplying by 100 to get the percentage:

\[
0.1236 \times 100 \approx 12.36\%
\]

Therefore, the percent error of the zookeeper's prediction is **D. 12.36%**.