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'''Precision''' is an indication of how consistent a measuring device is in a [[measure|measurement]].<ref>Wile, Dr. Jay L. ''Exploring Creation With Chemistry''. Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. 1998</ref> This may also be used in terms of scientific experimentation as a measure of the experiments reliability. Precision is in contrast to [[Accuracy | accuracy]], which is merely a measure of how close a measurement is to the actual value.

'''Precision''' is an indication of how consistent a measuring device is in a [[measure]]ment.<ref>Wile, Dr. Jay L. ''Exploring Creation With Chemistry''. Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. 1998</ref> This may also be used in terms of scientific experimentation as a measure of the experiments reliability. Precision is in contrast to [[accuracy]], which is merely a measure of how close a measurement is to the actual value.

Accuracy and precision are often used interchangeably, although technically this usage is incorrect. As is often the case in experimentation, a measurement may be precise (produce the same value reliably), but it is inaccurate due to a consistent error on the part of the investigator.

Accuracy and precision are often used interchangeably, although technically this usage is incorrect. As is often the case in experimentation, a measurement may be precise (produce the same value reliably), but it is inaccurate due to a consistent error on the part of the investigator.

At some point, precision reaches a scientific limit.  Due to [[quantum mechanics]], and especially the [[Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle]], at some point precision in measurement is impossible without the imparting of energy onto the measured object.  For this reason, precision at the [[atom|atomic]] level is difficult to obtain.  One example is, instead of referring to [[electron|electrons]] in a particular location around an atom, scientists determine what area of space they ''could'' occupy, and label this area a probability cloud, or an [[orbital]].

At some point, precision reaches a scientific limit.  Due to [[quantum mechanics]], and especially the [[Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle]], at some point precision in measurement is impossible without the imparting of energy onto the measured object.  For this reason, precision at the [[atom]]ic level is difficult to obtain.  One example is, instead of referring to [[electron]]s in a particular location around an atom, scientists determine what area of space they ''could'' occupy, and label this area a probability cloud, or an [[orbital]].

In most non-scientific prose, it is common to give approximate values. That being the norm, there is no need to use ''about'' in phrases like, "The first airplane was flown by the [[Wright Brothers]] {{#expr: {{years ago|1903}} round -2}} years ago."  

In most non-scientific prose, it is common to give approximate values. That being the norm, there is no need to use ''about'' in phrases like, "The first airplane was flown by the [[Wright Brothers]] {{#expr: {{years ago|1903}} round -2}} years ago."