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Re: [Phys-l] propagation of error



fizix29@aol.com wrote:
Let a = 40 +/- 5 m
b = 30 +/- 3 m
t = 1.2 +/- 0.1 s

What is a + b and a/t?

Assuming the inputs are Gaussian and IID, then:

a+b is 70±5.8 Gaussian distributed

a/t is 33.3±4.8 nearly, but not quite Gaussian distributed


The a+b result is easily obtained algebraically; the uncertainties add in
quadrature.
http://www.av8n.com/physics/uncertainty.htm#sec-manual-prop

A fair approximation to the a/t result could also be obtained algebraically
(hint: take logarithms) but I found it easier to just do the Monte Carlo.
http://www.av8n.com/physics/uncertainty.htm#sec-mg-mass