In which units is relative error commonly expressed?

Relative error is commonly expressed in percentage terms. This unit provides a standardized way to communicate how significant the error is in relation to the true value, allowing for easy comparisons across different measurements or contexts. By expressing it as a percentage, it becomes intuitive to understand what portion of the true value is represented by the error.

For example, if a measurement of a solution concentration is found to be 110 mg/L, and the true value is 100 mg/L, the relative error can be calculated and expressed as a percentage, providing a clear picture of the accuracy of the measurement.

Other units mentioned, such as parts per thousand or milligrams per liter, are more specific and typically used for concentration measurements rather than assessing error. Decibels are a logarithmic unit typically used for sound intensity or other ratios rather than for expressing measurement error.