error propagation in laboratory measurements

Error propagation refers to how measurement uncertainties affect the final result. When multiple measurements are used to calculate a quantity, the small uncertainties in each measurement can combine and influence the accuracy of the overall result. For example, if you measure length and width to find area, small errors in each measurement can add up, making the final area estimate less precise. Understanding error propagation helps scientists estimate the overall uncertainty, ensuring results are reliable and informed by known measurement limitations.