How would you create a sketch illustrating the difference between the terms accuracy and precision in scientific measurement?

1 Answer

Draw two targets. One with all of the holes tightly grouped and another with the holes loosely grouped around the bullseye.

Explanation:

Precision is how finely measured an observation is. With precision the measurements should be able to be replicated within small values of error.

The target with the holes tightly grouped illustrate precision. The holes should be off center not on the bullseye. This illustrates that precision is not the same as accuracy. A set of measurements may be very precise but not accurate.

www.edvotek.com

The target with the holes loosely grouped around the bullseye illustrate accuracy. Accuracy is being near the real value. Accuracy does not have to be precise. Having the holes loosely grouped around the bullseye illustrates that the measurements are accurate but not precise.