The measured experimental volume of ascetic acid in a sample of vinegar was 7% and the manufacture claimed volume is 5.8% , what is the percentage error ?

Answer 1

percent means per 100 so, to get 7 to 100 multiply by 14.2 do the same for 5.8=82.36

100-82.36=17.64%

Answer 2

the error is 1.2%

as a percent of the true value (7%), that is

1.2/7 = 17.14%

strangely, the above reasoning, though wrong, comes out fairly close.

Answer 3

1.2% is the absolute error.
17.1% is the relative error.