What is the definition of accuracy and precision?

Answer 1

Accuracy is ( in mathematics) the number of significant figures given in a number; "the atomic clock enabled scientists to measure time with much greater accuracy"

Precision is

The precision of a value describes the number of digits that are used to express that value. In a scientific setting this would be the total number of digits (sometimes called the significant figures) or, less commonly, the number of fractional digits or decimal places (the number of digits following the decimal point). This second definition is useful in financial and engineering applications where the number of digits in the fractional part has particular importance.
Precision is the number of places to the right of a decimal point you can get in a measurement. Accuracy is how closely your measurement or your measuring device conforms to a standard.

For instance, you have a rubber ruler. You can use this ruler to measure to the tenth of a centimeter. Another person uses that same ruler but stretches it when he makes his measurement. He also reads the ruler to the tenth of a centimeter.

You both had the same precision (tenth of a centimeter) but your reading was more accurate because you didn't stretch the rubber ruler.

By the way, rubber rulers are only used to measure fish...and some people really stretch them.

Answer 2

Think of it like a game of darts.

Accurate = you can hit the bullseye.

Precise = you can always hit the same spot with a group of darts, no matter where on the board, not necessarily the bullseye.

Both at the same time = You can consistently hit the bullseye, everytime.

Answer 3

Accuracy is coming close to a given point (hitting the bullseye of a target). Precision is coming close to a point consistently (hitting the same area of a target repeatedly). To be accurate and precise is to come to around a given point consistently (hitting the bullseye repeatedly). To be accurate but not precise is to hit the bullseye sometimes. To be precise but not accurate is to hit a point other than the bullseye many times (when aiming for the bullseye).

Answer 4

Accuracy is the degree of veracity while precision is the degree of reproducibility.

Answer 5

Accuracy is the closeness of the result to the true value while precision is the repeatability of the result.

Answer 6

Accuracy is Correctness and precision is Closeness. Fore example the value of PI 3.14 can be said to be correct but not precise, while 3.4159 is more precise but not correct.

Answer 7

Being exactly correct in action.