GARCIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

Kalibo, Aklan
Electrical Engineering Department

EXPERIMENT NO. 1

ERRORS IN MEASUREMENT AND BASIC STATISTICAL SAMPLING

OBJECTIVES
1. To investigate sources of error in measurements
2. To observe the value of statistical analysis

EQUIPMENT AND COMPONENTS

1. Thirty (30) resistors (1/4 W) of the same color-coded value
2. One (1) digital multimeter

PROCEDURE
1. Measure the value of each resistors by digital multi-meter. Record the values in the Table 1.1 (Resistance values).

2. Select 8 resistors at random from the total lot and measure and record their values in Table 1.1 (Sample 1).

3. Mix all the resistors together and select, at random, any 12 resistors. Your selection may or may not include resistors
from the previous sample. Measure and record the values of the 12 resistors in Table 1.1 (Sample 2).

4. Mix all the resistors together and select, at random, a sample of 16 resistors and measure and record their values in
Table 1.1 (Sample 3).

5. On one sheet of graph paper, plot the value of each resistor in the total lot and make a bar graph, or histogram.

6. Divide a second sheet of graph paper three ways vertically. Plot a histogram (resistance values versus frequency) for
each of the three samples of the resistors.

7. Connect the maximum points of each histogram by a smooth curve. If the numbers of resistors in the samples were
much larger, this would give an approximate normal distribution curve such as the one shown in Figure 1.1. However,
your curves may be skewed because samples are small.
8. Compute and record in Table 1.1 the standard deviation σ for the entire lot and for each of the three samples.

9. Record in Table 1.2 which sample (1, 2, or 3) most neatly describes the total lot with regards to standard deviation.

QUESTIONS:
1. What is average deviation? Calculate the average deviation of the samples in Table 1.1 and find out the best sample
with regards to the average deviation.

2. What is probable error? Calculate the probable error of the samples in Table 1.1 and find out the best sample with
regards to the probable error.
EXPERIMENT DATA SHEET

Name of the Experiment: Errors in Measurement and Basic Statistical Sampling

Group #: _____
Names of the Students:
Date of the Experiment: _______________

Experiment Data