In statistics, a model's quality of producing predictions close to the theoretical "true" result . Distinct from the statistical definition of precision, which is the model's quality of tending to converge on similar predictions for varying samples of the same population.

To illustrate the distinction, if you throw ten darts at the center of a dartboard, and they are scattered loosely around the center, your throws had high accuracy but low precision. If the darts are tightly grouped at a spot on the wall not very close to the dartboard, your throws had high precision but low accuracy.

Ac"cu*ra*cy [See Accurate.]

The state of being accurate; freedom from mistakes, this exemption arising from carefulness; exact conformity to truth, or to a rule or model; precision; exactness; nicety; correctness; as, the value of testimony depends on its accuracy.

The professed end [of logic] is to teach men to think, to judge, and to reason, with precision and accuracy. Reid.

The accuracy with which the piston fits the sides. Lardner.

 

© Webster 1913.

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