Lecture 2

Numerical Methods
[MA-200]
 Significant Digits

In considering rounding errors, it is necessary to be precise in the usage

of approximate digits.
 Significant Digits

In considering rounding errors, it is necessary to be precise in the usage

of approximate digits. A significant digit is an approximate digit in an
approximate number in a digit, which gives the reliable information
about the size of the number.
 Significant Digits

In considering rounding errors, it is necessary to be precise in the usage

of approximate digits. A significant digit is an approximate digit in an
approximate number in a digit, which gives the reliable information
about the size of the number. In other words, a significant digit is used
to express accuracy
 Significant Digits

In considering rounding errors, it is necessary to be precise in the usage

of approximate digits. A significant digit is an approximate digit in an
approximate number in a digit, which gives the reliable information
about the size of the number. In other words, a significant digit is used
to express accuracy, i.e., how many digits in the number
 Significant Digits

In considering rounding errors, it is necessary to be precise in the usage

of approximate digits. A significant digit is an approximate digit in an
approximate number in a digit, which gives the reliable information
about the size of the number. In other words, a significant digit is used
to express accuracy, i.e., how many digits in the number have meaning
The significant digits of a (measured or calculated) quantity
The significant digits of a (measured or calculated) quantity are the
meaningful digits in it
The significant digits of a (measured or calculated) quantity are the
meaningful digits in it

• Any digit that is not zero is significant.

The significant digits of a (measured or calculated) quantity are the
meaningful digits in it

• Any digit that is not zero is significant. Thus 549 has three significant
digits
The significant digits of a (measured or calculated) quantity are the
meaningful digits in it

• Any digit that is not zero is significant. Thus 549 has three significant
digits and 1.892 has four significant digits
The significant digits of a (measured or calculated) quantity are the
meaningful digits in it

• Any digit that is not zero is significant. Thus 549 has three significant
digits and 1.892 has four significant digits

• Zero between nonzero digits are significant.

The significant digits of a (measured or calculated) quantity are the
meaningful digits in it

• Any digit that is not zero is significant. Thus 549 has three significant
digits and 1.892 has four significant digits

• Zero between nonzero digits are significant. Thus 4023 has four
significant digits
The significant digits of a (measured or calculated) quantity are the
meaningful digits in it

• Any digit that is not zero is significant. Thus 549 has three significant
digits and 1.892 has four significant digits

• Zero between nonzero digits are significant. Thus 4023 has four
significant digits

• Zero to the left of the first nonzero digit are not significant.
The significant digits of a (measured or calculated) quantity are the
meaningful digits in it

• Any digit that is not zero is significant. Thus 549 has three significant
digits and 1.892 has four significant digits

• Zero between nonzero digits are significant. Thus 4023 has four
significant digits

• Zero to the left of the first nonzero digit are not significant. Thus
0.000034 has only two significant digits.
The significant digits of a (measured or calculated) quantity are the
meaningful digits in it

• Any digit that is not zero is significant. Thus 549 has three significant
digits and 1.892 has four significant digits

• Zero between nonzero digits are significant. Thus 4023 has four
significant digits

• Zero to the left of the first nonzero digit are not significant. Thus
0.000034 has only two significant digits. This is more easily seen if it
is written as 3.4 × 10−5 .
• For numbers with decimal points,
• For numbers with decimal points, zeros to the right of a nonzero digit
are significant.
• For numbers with decimal points, zeros to the right of a nonzero digit
are significant. Thus 2.00 has three significant digits
• For numbers with decimal points, zeros to the right of a nonzero digit
are significant. Thus 2.00 has three significant digits and 0.050 has
two significant digits.
• For numbers with decimal points, zeros to the right of a nonzero digit
are significant. Thus 2.00 has three significant digits and 0.050 has
two significant digits. For this reason, it is more important to keep the
trailing zeros to indicate the actual number of significant digits.
• For numbers with decimal points, zeros to the right of a nonzero digit
are significant. Thus 2.00 has three significant digits and 0.050 has
two significant digits. For this reason, it is more important to keep the
trailing zeros to indicate the actual number of significant digits.

• For numbers without decimal points,

• For numbers with decimal points, zeros to the right of a nonzero digit
are significant. Thus 2.00 has three significant digits and 0.050 has
two significant digits. For this reason, it is more important to keep the
trailing zeros to indicate the actual number of significant digits.

• For numbers without decimal points, trailing zeros may or may not be
significant.
• For numbers with decimal points, zeros to the right of a nonzero digit
are significant. Thus 2.00 has three significant digits and 0.050 has
two significant digits. For this reason, it is more important to keep the
trailing zeros to indicate the actual number of significant digits.

• For numbers without decimal points, trailing zeros may or may not be
significant. Thus, 400 indicates only one significant digit.
• For numbers with decimal points, zeros to the right of a nonzero digit
are significant. Thus 2.00 has three significant digits and 0.050 has
two significant digits. For this reason, it is more important to keep the
trailing zeros to indicate the actual number of significant digits.

• For numbers without decimal points, trailing zeros may or may not be
significant. Thus, 400 indicates only one significant digit. To indicate
that the trailing zeros are significant
• For numbers with decimal points, zeros to the right of a nonzero digit
are significant. Thus 2.00 has three significant digits and 0.050 has
two significant digits. For this reason, it is more important to keep the
trailing zeros to indicate the actual number of significant digits.

• For numbers without decimal points, trailing zeros may or may not be
significant. Thus, 400 indicates only one significant digit. To indicate
that the trailing zeros are significant a decimal point must be added.
• For numbers with decimal points, zeros to the right of a nonzero digit
are significant. Thus 2.00 has three significant digits and 0.050 has
two significant digits. For this reason, it is more important to keep the
trailing zeros to indicate the actual number of significant digits.

• For numbers without decimal points, trailing zeros may or may not be
significant. Thus, 400 indicates only one significant digit. To indicate
that the trailing zeros are significant a decimal point must be added.
For Example, 400. has three significant digits,
• For numbers with decimal points, zeros to the right of a nonzero digit
are significant. Thus 2.00 has three significant digits and 0.050 has
two significant digits. For this reason, it is more important to keep the
trailing zeros to indicate the actual number of significant digits.

• For numbers without decimal points, trailing zeros may or may not be
significant. Thus, 400 indicates only one significant digit. To indicate
that the trailing zeros are significant a decimal point must be added.
For Example, 400. has three significant digits, and 4 × 102 has one
significant digit.
Examples
• 6.4320 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑓𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑠
Examples
• 6.4320 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑓𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑠

• 0.06432 ℎ𝑎𝑠 f𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑠

Examples
• 6.4320 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑓𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑠

• 0.06432 ℎ𝑎𝑠 f𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑠

• 64 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑠

Examples
• 6.4320 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑓𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑠

• 0.06432 ℎ𝑎𝑠 f𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑠

• 64 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑠

• 64.0 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑠

Examples
• 6.4320 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑓𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑠

• 0.06432 ℎ𝑎𝑠 f𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑠

• 64 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑠

• 64.0 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑠

• 6.432 × 104 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑠

Examples
• 6.4320 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑓𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑠

• 0.06432 ℎ𝑎𝑠 f𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑠

• 64 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑠

• 64.0 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑠

• 6.432 × 104 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑠

• 6.43200 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑠𝑖𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑠

Examples
• 6.4320 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑓𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑠

• 0.06432 ℎ𝑎𝑠 f𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑠

• 64 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑠

• 64.0 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑠

• 6.432 × 104 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑠

• 6.43200 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑠𝑖𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑠

• 5000 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡

 Types of Errors

There are three types of errors

• Absolute Error
 Types of Errors

There are three types of errors

• Absolute Error

• Relative Error
 Types of Errors

There are three types of errors

• Absolute Error

• Relative Error

• Percentage Error
 Absolute Error
If y and 𝑦 ∗ are respectively the exact and approximate values of a
quantity
 Absolute Error
If y and 𝑦 ∗ are respectively the exact and approximate values of a
quantity, then the absolute error is defined as

A.𝐸 = 𝑦 − 𝑦 ∗
 Absolute Error
If y and 𝑦 ∗ are respectively the exact and approximate values of a
quantity, then the absolute error is defined as

A.𝐸 = 𝑦 − 𝑦 ∗
For example
If 𝑦 ∗ = 4.83 and y = 4.832
 Absolute Error
If y and 𝑦 ∗ are respectively the exact and approximate values of a
quantity, then the absolute error is defined as

A.𝐸 = 𝑦 − 𝑦 ∗
For example
If 𝑦 ∗ = 4.83 and y = 4.832
Then
A.𝐸 = 4.832 − 4.83 = 0.002
 Relative Error
Relative Error (R.E) is the ratio of Absolute Error (A.E) to the exact
value
 Relative Error
Relative Error (R.E) is the ratio of Absolute Error (A.E) to the exact
value

𝑦−𝑦 ∗ 𝐴.𝐸
R.E = = ,y≠0
𝑦 𝑦
 Relative Error
Relative Error (R.E) is the ratio of Absolute Error (A.E) to the exact
value

𝑦−𝑦 ∗ 𝐴.𝐸
RE = = ,y≠0
𝑦 𝑦

If the exact value is not defined,

 Relative Error
Relative Error (R.E) is the ratio of Absolute Error (A.E) to the exact
value

𝑦−𝑦 ∗ 𝐴.𝐸
RE = = ,y≠0
𝑦 𝑦

If the exact value is not defined, then the relative error is defined as
 Relative Error
Relative Error (R.E) is the ratio of Absolute Error (A.E) to the exact
value

𝑦−𝑦 ∗ 𝐴.𝐸
R.E = = ,y≠0
𝑦 𝑦

If the exact value is not defined, then the relative error is defined as

𝑦−𝑦 ∗ 𝐴.𝐸
R.E = = , 𝑦∗ ≠ 0
𝑦∗ 𝑦∗
Cont.
For above example
If 𝑦 ∗ = 4.83 and y = 4.832
Cont.
For above example
If 𝑦 ∗ = 4.83 and y = 4.832
Then
A.𝐸 = 4.832 − 4.83 = 0.002
Cont.
For above example
If 𝑦 ∗ = 4.83 and y = 4.832
Then
A.𝐸 = 4.83 − 4.832 = 0.002
Since
𝑦−𝑦 ∗
R.E = =
𝑦∗
Cont.
For above example
If 𝑦 ∗ = 4.83 and y = 4.832
Then
A.𝐸 = 4.83 − 4.832 = 0.002
Since
𝑦−𝑦 ∗ 𝐴.𝐸 0.002
R.E = = = = 0.00041
𝑦∗ 𝑦∗ 4.83
Cont.
For above example
If 𝑦 ∗ = 4.83 and y = 4.832
Then
A.𝐸 = 4.83 − 4.832 = 0.002
Since
𝑦−𝑦 ∗ 𝐴.𝐸 0.002
R.E = = = = 0.00041
𝑦∗ 𝑦∗ 4.83
Note:
Relative error is more precise than the absolute error. In the case where
exact value is either very small or very large.
 Percentage Error

Relative error expressed in terms of percentage is called percentage

error (P.E).
 Percentage Error

Relative error expressed in terms of percentage is called percentage

error (P.E).

It is defined as
 Percentage Error

Relative error expressed in terms of percentage is called percentage

error (P.E).

It is defined as

P.E = R.E ×100

 Percentage Error

Relative error expressed in terms of percentage is called percentage

error (P.E).

It is defined as

P.E = R.E ×100

𝐴.𝐸
P.E = × 100
𝑦
 Percentage Error

Relative error expressed in terms of percentage is called percentage

error (P.E).

It is defined as

P.E = R.E ×100

𝐴.𝐸
P.E = × 100
𝑦

𝑦−𝑦 ∗
P.E = × 100
𝑦
Cont.
For above example

If 𝑦 ∗ = 4.83 and y = 4.832, Then

Cont.
For above example

If 𝑦 ∗ = 4.83 and y = 4.832, Then

A.𝐸 = 4.832 − 4.83 = 0.002

Cont.
For above example

If 𝑦 ∗ = 4.83 and y = 4.832, Then

A.𝐸 = 4.832 − 4.83 = 0.002

Since

𝑦−𝑦 ∗ 𝐴.𝐸
R.E = = =
𝑦 𝑦
Cont.
For above example

If 𝑦 ∗ = 4.83 and y = 4.832, Then

A.𝐸 = 4.832 − 4.83 = 0.002

Since

𝑦−𝑦 ∗ 𝐴.𝐸 0.002

RE = = =
𝑦 𝑦 4.83
Cont.
For above example

If 𝑦 ∗ = 4.83 and y = 4.832, Then

A.𝐸 = 4.832 − 4.83 = 0.002

Since

𝑦−𝑦 ∗ 𝐴.𝐸 0.002

R.E = = = = 0.00041
𝑦 𝑦 4.83
Cont.
For above example

If 𝑦 ∗ = 4.83 and y = 4.832, Then

A.𝐸 = 4.832 − 4.83 = 0.002

Since

𝑦−𝑦 ∗ 𝐴.𝐸 0.002

R.E = = = = 0.00041
𝑦 𝑦 4.83

P.E = R.E× 100

Cont.
For above example

If 𝑦 ∗ = 4.83 and y = 4.832, Then

A.𝐸 = 4.832 − 4.83 = 0.002

Since

𝑦−𝑦 ∗ 𝑅.𝐸 0.002

R.E = = = = 0.00041
𝑦 𝑦 4.83

P.E = R.E× 100 = 0.00041 × 100

Cont.
For above example

If 𝑦 ∗ = 4.83 and y = 4.832, Then

A.𝐸 = 4.832 − 4.83 = 0.002

Since

𝑦−𝑦 ∗ 𝐴.𝐸 0.002

R.E = = = = 0.00041
𝑦 𝑦 4.83

P.E = R.E× 100 = 0.00041 × 100= 0.041%

Cont.
For above example

If 𝑦 ∗ = 4.83 and y = 4.832, Then

A.𝐸 = 4.832 − 4.83 = 0.002

Since

𝑦−𝑦 ∗ 𝐴.𝐸 0.002

R.E = = = = 0.00041
𝑦 𝑦 4.83

P.E = R.E× 100 = 0.00041 × 100= 0.041%

This error tells the effect of error in terms of percentage