Thread: % Percent error

Suppose f(x) = x^(1/4). If x is accurate to within 6%, within what percent is f(x) accurate ?

i know that %percent error = delta F/ f(x) = f'(x)*deltaX / f(x)
what i dont know is how to get delta f out this this information

Let me guess,

You said,
%percent error = df / f = f' * dx / f

f' = df/dx, thus:

df / f = df/dx * dx / f

Your x can change 6% so dx = 0.06

df/dx = 1/(4*x^(3/4))

error = 1/(4*x^(3/4)) * 0.06 / x^(1/4) = 3/(200*x)

f(x) = x^(1/4). If x is accurate to within 6%, within what percent is f(x) accurate

x=1
f(x) = 1

x=1.06
f(x) = 1.01467385

Therefore it is accurate to within 1.467% when x=1.

Why is this not exactly 3/(200*1) = 1.5% ?