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What's the difference between accuracy and precision? - Matt Anticole

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TEDEd Animation

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When we measure things, most people are only worried about how accurate, or how close to the actual value, they are. Looking at the process of measurement more carefully, you will see that there is another important consideration: precision. Matt Anticole explains what exactly precision is and how can help us to measure things better.

WatchThink Dig Deeper Discuss
You are measuring length with a meter stick. However, you do not realize that the first 4.0 centimeters of the meter stick are missing because a hungry beaver made a snack of it earlier that day. The measurements you take with the meter stick will be:

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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Matt Anticole
  • Director Anton Bogaty
  • Script Editor Alex Gendler
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

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