Precision

The ability of a search engine to list results that satisfy the query, usually measured in percentage. (if 20 of the 50 results match the query the precision is 40%) Search spam and the complexity of language challenge the precision of search engines.

The degree in which a search engine lists documents matching a query. The more matching documents that are listed, the higher the precision. For example, if a search engine lists 80 documents found to match a query but only 20 of them contain the search words, then the precision would be 25%.

The accuracy with which a number can be represented, i.e., the number of digits used to represent a number.

Precision The degree of agreement between independent measurements of a single quantity obtained by applying a specific measurement procedure several times under prescribed conditions.

Refers to the number of significant digits used to store numbers, and in particular, coordinate values. Precision is important for accurate feature representation, analysis and mapping. ARC/INFO supports single precision and double precision.

The degree of mutual agreement among a series of individual measurements, values, or results; often, but not necessarily, expressed by the standard deviation. 2. With respect to a set of independent devices of the same design, the ability of these devices to produce the same value or result, given the same input conditions and operating in the same environment. 3. With respect to a single device, put into operation repeatedly without adjustments, the ability to produce the same value or result, given the same input conditions and operating in the same environment. Synonym [for defs. 1, 2, and 3 above] reproducibility. 4. In computer science, a measure of the ability to distinguish between nearly equal values. 5. The degree of discrimination with which a quantity is stated; for example, a three-digit numeral to the base 10 discriminates among 1000 possibilities.