probable error

American  

noun

Statistics.

1. a quantity formerly used as a measure of variability: equal to 0.6745 times the standard deviation. A normally distributed population has half of its elements within one probable error of the mean.

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probable error Scientific  

/ prŏb′ə-bəl /

1. The amount by which the arithmetic mean of a sample is expected to vary because of chance alone.

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Etymology

Origin of probable error

First recorded in 1805–15

Example Sentences

For reasons explained by Mr. Silberling in a footnote, he uses, instead of the "probable error," a statement of the number of observations.

From The Value of Money by Anderson, Benjamin M.

If, therefore, all were rated and scaled by this value, the results would fall under a curve of probable error.

From Folkways A Study of the Sociological Importance of Usages, Manners, Customs, Mores, and Morals by Sumner, William Graham

For thevalues of M, whence the deviations are measured, and forthose of the corresponding probable error, see the headingsto the columns in Table II.

From Finger Prints by Galton, Francis, Sir

I might, by possibility, look too highly; or, by an equally probable error, I might place myself on too humble a level.

From Sir Jasper Carew His Life and Experience by Lever, Charles James

Connected with the coefficient of correlation, usually, is a figure for "probable error," which depends, primarily, on the square root of the number of observations.

From The Value of Money by Anderson, Benjamin M.