A multiplicative error is proportional to the true value of the quantity being measured. An example of a multiplicative error is when electronic scales provide readings 1% higher than the true weight - i.e. 1.01 kg for 1.0 kg standard weight, 2.02 kg for a 2.0 kg standard weight, etc.

• is the result of a measurement of some quantity, say, weight;

• is the true value of the quantity;

• is relative value of the multiplicative error, often expressed in percent, e.g instead of is is normally said that the error is 1%.

A related concept is additive error ,

See also the short courses

Introduction to Statistics: Design and Analysis ,

Statistics for Engineers .