accumulated error

noun

UK /əˈkjuːmjəleɪtɪd ˈerə/

US /əˈkjuːmjəleɪtɪd ˈerər/

Accumulated error is all the little mistakes that add up over time.

The robot's accumulated error made it drift off course after many steps.

SYNONYMS

built-up error total error cumulative mistake summed error gathered error

RELATED WORDS

drift rounding tolerance deviation measurement

OTHER MEANINGS

2. In math and computing, the total of many small rounding mistakes.

Adding tiny decimals again and again caused accumulated error in the result.

3. In science, the combined effect of small measurement mistakes.

The experiment's accumulated error grew with each repeated reading.

4. In everyday life, the result of many small repeated slips.

His accumulated error in saving money left him short at the end of the month.