probable error

American  

noun

Statistics.

1. a quantity formerly used as a measure of variability: equal to 0.6745 times the standard deviation. A normally distributed population has half of its elements within one probable error of the mean.

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probable error Scientific  

/ prŏb′ə-bəl /

1. The amount by which the arithmetic mean of a sample is expected to vary because of chance alone.

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Etymology

Origin of probable error

First recorded in 1805–15

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

probable error

After the average is given a number in parenthesis which is the probable error.

From Vocational Psychology: Its Problems and Methods by Hollingworth, Harry L.

It was a moderately complicated equation, and the computation of the probable error was especially tricky.

From Talents, Incorporated by Leinster, Murray

For reasons explained by Mr. Silberling in a footnote, he uses, instead of the "probable error," a statement of the number of observations.

From The Value of Money by Anderson, Benjamin M.

It rises rapidly, however, as one advances among the mountains, until at Boca it attains the high figure of +0.604 or eight times the probable error, and continues high in the dry area farther east.

From Climatic Changes Their Nature and Causes by Huntington, Ellsworth

The probable error of a single observation of a fine object with this theodolite is about 0″.2.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 6 "Geodesy" to "Geometry" by Various