Term: relative error
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.R05266
Definition:
Error of measurement divided by the true value of the measurand. Since a true value cannot be determined, in practice the conventional true value is used.
Related Terms:
1) error of measurement (of measurement) (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.E02194).
2) measurand (of measurement) (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M03789).
3) conventional true value (of measurement) (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01316).
Source: VIM (https://www.iso.org/standard/45321.html)
Citation: 'relative error' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.R05266
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