Definition:

The absolute error is a measure of the discrepancy between the actual value and the estimated or measured value of a quantity.

Explanation:

It represents the magnitude of the difference between the real value and the approximate value, disregarding the direction of the error. Absolute error is a positive value that indicates how far off the estimation or measurement is from the true value.

Formula:

The absolute error (E_abs) can be calculated by taking the absolute value of the difference between the actual value (A) and the estimated value (E), represented by |A – E|.

Usage:

Absolute error is commonly used in various fields, such as statistics, physics, engineering, and finance, to evaluate the accuracy of measurements, models, or predictions. It helps quantify the level of error or uncertainty associated with a particular value or calculation.

Interpretation:

A smaller absolute error indicates a higher level of accuracy in the estimation or measurement, while a larger absolute error signifies a greater discrepancy between the actual and estimated values. Comparing absolute errors allows for the comparison of different measurements or predictions in terms of their closeness to the true value.