Asked by Tim's Titration Lab

How would I calculate this average, given the minus signs in the calculation?

Average = 0.00% + -8.06% + -5.82% + 0.00% + -3.42% / 5 = ?
Answered by ~christina~
just add and divide, not sure what is the problem.

(-8.06-5.82-3.42 )/5=____
Answered by DrBob222
The easier way is to take the average of the five trials, then calculate percent error on that average. I think you can get the same answer if you add the above numbers, with respect to sign, and divide by 5 but I' not positive about that.
Answered by ~christina~
so what I said was incorrect, again?
Answered by DrBob222
No, your answer is not wrong. I think it is correct; it just isn't the easier way to get the answer. I THINK if we take the numbers in the post, add them with respect to sign, and divide by five (which is your answer) we will get the average percent error. But the easier way is to average the five trials and determine the percent error on that average. Or at least I think it's easier that way.
Answered by Tim's Titration Lab
what answer should I get?
Answered by ~christina~
I didn't know he wanted the average % <b> error</b> All he said was that he wanted to know how to get the average of the numbers and if it wasn't percent error but just math it would be that way. BUT if it was in the context of his titration experiment then yes, it would be easier that way and that's the way I did the percent error calculation when I did Quant lab.
Answered by ~christina~
What answer did you get?
Answered by Tim's Titration Lab
0.00% + -8.06% + -5.82% + 0.00% + -3.42% / 5 = 3.46%


Answered by ~christina~
yes that is what I got if you do the average the way I told you.

I think you should go and also try out doing the percent error the way Dr.Bob told you though since that is the way I did this calculation when I had my lab titrations (I didn't know you were doing the % error) and he has much more experience in chemistry. =)
Answered by Tim's Titration Lab
How does he tell me to do this? IM quite confused please let me know
Answered by ~christina~
well the way he says to do the calculation and the way I did it is that.

lets say that you have
data as:

1
2
3
5
and then so you have to find the percent error from 3.6 (value that is actual value)

then to do it alternatively from what you did before is:

1+2+3+5= 11/4= 2.75

|2.75-3.6| /3.6 x 100= 23.61% average error.

I think this is right but check me.
There are no AI answers yet. The ability to request AI answers is coming soon!