Related Formula
For a quantity Q = (a^x b^y)/(c^z)$Q = \frac{a^x b^y}{c^z}$, the maximum relative error is:
(Δ Q)/(Q) = x (Δ a)/(a) + y (Δ b)/(b) + z (Δ c)/(c)$$\frac{\Delta Q}{Q} = x \frac{\Delta a}{a} + y \frac{\Delta b}{b} + z \frac{\Delta c}{c}$$
Multiplying by 100$100$ gives the percentage error equation:
% error in Q = x(% error in a) + y(% error in b) + z(% error in c)$$\%\text{ error in } Q = x(\%\text{ error in } a) + y(\%\text{ error in } b) + z(\%\text{ error in } c)$$
Core Logic
Given formula:
Q = (a⁴ b³)/(c²)$$Q = \frac{a^4 b^3}{c^2}$$
Applying the error propagation rule:
(Δ Q)/(Q) × 100 = 4 ((Δ a)/(a) × 100) + 3 ((Δ b)/(b) × 100) + 2 ((Δ c)/(c) × 100)$$\frac{\Delta Q}{Q} \times 100 = 4 \left(\frac{\Delta a}{a} \times 100\right) + 3 \left(\frac{\Delta b}{b} \times 100\right) + 2 \left(\frac{\Delta c}{c} \times 100\right)$$
Step 1: Substitute the Percentage Errors
Substitute the given values:
- % error in a = 3%$\%\text{ error in } a = 3\%$
- % error in b = 4%$\%\text{ error in } b = 4\%$
- % error in c = 5%$\%\text{ error in } c = 5\%$
% error in Q = 4(3%) + 3(4%) + 2(5%)$$\%\text{ error in } Q = 4(3\%) + 3(4\%) + 2(5\%)$$
% error in Q = 12% + 12% + 10% = 34%$$\%\text{ error in } Q = 12\% + 12\% + 10\% = 34\%$$
Pattern Recognition
Error percentages always add up, weighted by their exponents in the mathematical expression, regardless of whether the variable is in the numerator or denominator.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Physics: Units and Measurements