Relative error compares absolute error with the magnitude of the exact value.
What Is Relative Error?
Relative error compares absolute error with the magnitude of the exact value.
Examples of Relative Error
1
Error 0.2 on exact 10 gives relative error 0.02.Formula and Key Points
Formula / rule
|approx−exact|/|exact|
- Know the definition and standard notation for Relative Error.
- Be able to recognise or compute relative error in a small example.
- Connect the concept to nearby topics in the same subject before using it in larger CSE problems.
Why This Matters in Computer Science
Used when software must approximate roots, integrals, equations or other quantities that have no convenient exact solution.
Related Math Terms
Relative Error: Frequently Asked Questions
What is Relative Error?
Relative error compares absolute error with the magnitude of the exact value.
Why is Relative Error useful in computer science?
Used when software must approximate roots, integrals, equations or other quantities that have no convenient exact solution.