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Questions  addressed :    Need for error analysis   Probable error and parameters   associated   with it   Maximum possible error   Least square fitting

1. Introduction

All physical measurements are subject to various types of error. It is important to reduce the effect of errors to a minimum. In order to know the uncertainty in measurement or to know the deviation from the true value of a measured quantity, it is important to have an idea of the sources of error as well as estimates. Error involved in any measurement may be broadly classified as (a) systematic error and (b) random error.

(a) Systematic error Errors that are not revealed through an entire set of measurements are termed systematic errors. Systematic errors may arise because of instrumental defect or experimental bias.