Statistics and uncertainty

Type A uncertainty - formula in LaTeX

The uncertainty of the mean obtained statistically from a series of measurements. It falls with the square root of their number, so halving it takes four times as many readings. A subscript that is a label rather than a variable is set upright: u_{\mathrm{A}}.

$$
u_A = \dfrac{s}{\sqrt{n}}
$$

Got this formula in your notes or on a whiteboard? Snap a photo and CamteX turns it into LaTeX. Try it free

What the symbols mean

$u_A$

type A standard uncertainty

$s$

standard deviation

$n$

number of measurements

A statistics and uncertainty formula - a required part of the data analysis in every lab report.

Worked example

Nine timing measurements with a standard deviation of 0.3 s. The uncertainty falls as 1/√n, so halving it takes four times as many measurements. Always put the root argument in braces: \sqrt 16 would give the root of the 1 alone.

LaTeX commands in this formula

x_{0}

subscript; wrap several characters in braces

\dfrac

fraction (display)

\sqrt

square root

How to use this formula in LaTeX?

1. Copy the code with the button above - $$…$$ is centered display math.
2. Paste it into the CamteX editor, Overleaf or any LaTeX document.
3. Inside a sentence, use single $…$ instead of double.
4. The formula needs the amsmath package - CamteX templates include it in the preamble.

Related formulas - Statistics and uncertainty

• Combined uncertainty
• Uncertainty propagation
• Expanded uncertainty
• Mean value
• Standard deviation