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

Connected with the coefficient of correlation, usually, is a figure for "probable error," which depends, primarily, on the square root of the number of observations.

From The Value of Money by Anderson, Benjamin M.

A correlation coefficient four times the probable error, which can always be determined by a formula well known to mathematicians, is generally considered to afford evidence of some kind of relation between two phenomena.

From Climatic Changes Their Nature and Causes by Huntington, Ellsworth

But after allowing for my probable error, it figures an ellipse of low eccentricity, between the orbits of Io and Europa.

From Spacehounds of IPC by Smith, E. E. (Edward Elmer)

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

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