The accepted density of sugar solution is 1.390. Rank the data sets in decreasing order of accuracy?

Question

Density (g/mL)

Trial Set 1 Set 2 Set 3

a 1.380 1.347 1.418

b 1.400 1.479 1.499

c 1.374 1.401 1.301

..Could you please show me how you got your answer?

Answer 1

Accuracy has to do with how close your data is to the actual (true) value. If we average each of the data sets we get:

a. Average = 1.382

b. Average = 1.459

c. Average = 1.359

Obviously set (a) has an average (1.382) that is closest to the true value of 1.390. Set (b) is off the farthest.

a > c > b

Answer 2

What you'll need to do is to determine the average of each trial set. Then, compare the averages with the accepted value. The trial set whose average is closest to the accepted value is the most accurate, and the one whose average is the farthest from the accepted value is the least accurate.