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.

---

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.

---

Etymology

Origin of probable error

First recorded in 1805–15

Example Sentences

Trigonometrical Surveys in India, to be in probable error to the following extent:   Present SurveyValue of Height Most probableValue.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 4 "Hero" to "Hindu Chronology" by Various

The time-lapse due to distance had a presumed correction and there was a considerable probable error in the speed of translation of the ship during overdrive.

From Talents, Incorporated by Leinster, Murray

When the rainfall of three seasons is taken into account the coefficient rises to +0.570, or 8.7 times the probable error, while with four years of rainfall the coefficient begins to fall off.

From Climatic Changes Their Nature and Causes by Huntington, Ellsworth

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.

The precipitation of two preceding seasons, however, has some effect on the trees, as appears in the second line of Section A, where the correlation coefficient is +0.288, or 3.2 times the probable error.

From Climatic Changes Their Nature and Causes by Huntington, Ellsworth