Accuracy vs precision, What’s the difference? are the two terms that denote their different meanings of error in measurement. In other words, accuracy and precision are the terms of error. Let’s discuss this in detail.
Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true or desired value, indicating how correct or on target it is. Precision, on the other hand, relates to the consistency and repeatability of measurements, highlighting how closely repeated measurements match each other, even if they’re not necessarily close to the true value. In simple terms, accuracy is about hitting the bullseye, while precision is about hitting the same spot repeatedly, even if it’s not the bullseye.
Accuracy vs precision
Difference Between Accuracy and Precision
| Aspect | Accuracy | Precision |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Closeness to the true value | Can lead to a bias in the results |
| Focus | This can lead to a bias in the results | How consistent the results are |
| Target | Bullseye in archery | Grouping of shots in archery |
| Example | Hitting the center of a dartboard | Hitting a tight cluster on the dartboard |
| Measurement Errors | Can be caused by systematic or random errors | Mainly influenced by random errors |
| Impact of Errors | How to correct the result is | Results may not necessarily be biased, but they vary |
| Precision vs. Accuracy | Can be precise but not accurate (shots tightly grouped but away from the bullseye) | Can be accurate but not precise (shots scattered but around the bullseye) |
| Representation | Usually represented as a percent error or deviation | Represented as a standard deviation or range |
| Trade-off | Improving accuracy may sacrifice precision and vice versa | Balancing both is ideal for reliable measurements |
| Importance | Critical in applications like medicine and engineering | Critical in scientific research and quality control |
Accuracy Synonyms
- Precision
- Correctness
- Exactness
- Fidelity
- Veracity
- Truthfulness
- Reliability
- Authenticity
- Faithfulness
- Rigor
- Verisimilitude
- Perfection
- Conformity
- Exactitude
- Faithful representation
Precision Synonyms
- Accuracy
- Exactness
- Finesse
- Rigor
- Detail
- Clarity
- Exactitude
- Neatness
- Sharpness
- Perfection
- Discrimination
- Delicacy
- Meticulousness
- Carefulness
- Punctiliousness
Recall vs Precision
Recall measures the ability to identify all relevant instances or items from a dataset. It quantifies the proportion of true positive results out of all actual positives. Precision measures the accuracy of the positive predictions made. It quantifies the proportion of true positive results out of all positive predictions made.