Quantitative techniques comprise measurements, as the external world cannot be comprehended without measurements. On the other hand, measurements require instruments that can provide a quantity. However, the issue with such tools is that they have no surety. That is, they are characterised by uncertainty, also called error.
Two essential factors are considered to evaluate the level of uncertainty of measurement. Precision is one of them. It differs from accuracy, the other factor in assessing data measurement, insofar as the late explains how close or far a measurement is from the standard or accepted value.
In contrast, Precision describes the proximity between two or measurements irrespective of how close they are to the accepted or expected value. Thus, precision measurements may or may not be accurate or close to the accepted value.
Key Takeaways
- Precision refers to the accuracy of a measurement or its level of detail.
- It is an essential aspect of scientific research and engineering.
- Precision is influenced by various factors, including the equipment, methodology, and the observer’s ability to record and interpret the data.
Understanding Precision
Precision is used to determine the exactness of the measurement in mathematics, science and engineering. Accordingly, two or more factors or measurements are employed in an experiment to observe the measurement’s consistency and reliability. That is to say; Precision inspects how many times a particular process or instrument repeats the same measurement value.
As it follows from the above discussion, unlike accuracy, which observes a measurement’s veracity, Precision evaluates a measurement’s reproducibility. The closer the value of two or more measurements will be, the more will be the Precision of the measurement.
Examples of Precision
To explain the concept of Precision, one can take the example of the value of ‘pi,’ that is, 3.142857143. In this case:
- The value 3.14 will be called accurate instead of precise as it is the closest number to the actual value of ‘pi.’
- The value 1.14234567890987654321, however, will be called precise but inaccurate. It is ‘precise’ because it gives much more information, but it is not accurate as it is far from the actual value of ‘pi.’
- The value that will exhibit both accuracy and Precision is the value 3.142857143, the real value of ‘pi.’
Another example to explain Precision can be the basketball game. Here, if a player throws the ball on the same side of the basket but misses it every time, his throw is said to have a high Precision level. The player’s aim may be far from the basket in this situation. But because the ball falls in the same direction every time, the player’s throw is said to be precise.
The concept of Precision may become further clear with the example of a dart game.
Advantages of Precision
Using a precise measurement instrument is more useful than an imprecise but accurate one. It is because:
- Precision makes adjustment of error more straightforward.
- The determination of an instrument’s quality is better with Precision than accuracy.
Disadvantages of Precision
Some of the inherent limitations include the following:
- Recurring measurements cannot improve Precision.
- Precision cannot be determined with a single experiment. Multiple factors and investigations are required to evaluate an instrument’s Precision.
- https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/jsr/2/1/article-p35.xml
- https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jpa2/26/2/26_2_253/_article/-char/ja/
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
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Emma Smith holds an MA degree in English from Irvine Valley College. She has been a Journalist since 2002, writing articles on the English language, Sports, and Law. Read more about me on her bio page.
I found the examples to be relatable and helpful in understanding Precision. The post was effective at conveying the message with clarity.
Absolutely, the relatable examples made the concept easier to grasp.
I appreciate the dual focus on the advantages and disadvantages of Precision. It provides a balanced view of the concept.
The post is enlightening. The examples are insightful and effectively contribute to elucidating Precision.
Well put. The examples truly enhance the understanding of Precision.
An interesting post. The explanation is very detailed, and I appreciate that. It provides true information on precision measurements.
Very good and insightful read. Great to learn about the disadvantages of precision.
I agree with your comment. It was very informative.
While the information is interesting, I find it to be a bit too technical and overwhelming for someone without a scientific background.
Good point. It might be more challenging for a layperson to understand.
The references provided at the end add credibility to the content. This detailed post has been a great learning experience.
I couldn’t agree more. The references validate the information presented.
The precision in the explanations is praiseworthy. The post systematically covers all aspects of Precision in measurements.
The precision in the explanations certainly makes the post stand out.
Absolutely. The comprehensive coverage was commendable.
The post was quite technical, but it did elucidate the concept of Precision quite effectively. Very insightful read.
Agreed. The technicality was balanced well with clear explanations.
The post gives a clear idea of Precision. However, it would have been helpful to include more real-world examples.
I concur. Real-world examples would have added more value to the post.
The information provided here is invaluable. It is highly informative and useful for understanding measurements.
Certainly, I appreciate the focus on Precision.
I couldn’t agree more. Precision is indeed crucial in measurements.