Designation: D 4356 84 (Reapproved 2002)

An American National Standard

Standard Practice for

Establishing Consistent Test Method Tolerances1

This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4356; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope
1.1 This practice should be used in the development of any
test method in which the determination value is calculated from
measurement values by means of an equation. The practice is
not applicable to such determination values as those calculated
from counts of nonconformities, ratios of successes to failures,
gradings, or ratings.
1.2 The purpose of this practice is to provide guidance in the
specifying of realistic and consistent tolerances for making
measurements and for reporting the results of testing.
1.3 This practice can be used as a guide for obtaining the
minimum test result tolerance that should be specified with a
particular set of specified measurement tolerances, the maximum permissible measurement tolerances which should be
specified to achieve a specified test result tolerance, and more
consistent specified measurement tolerances.
1.4 These measurement and test result tolerances are not
statistically determined tolerances that are obtained by using
the test method but are the tolerances specified in the test
method.
1.5 In the process of selecting test method tolerances, the
task group developing or revising a test method must evaluate
not only the consistency of the selected tolerances but also the
technical and economical feasibility of the measurement tolerances and the suitability of the test result tolerance for the
purposes for which the test method will be used. This practice
provides guidance only for establishing the consistency of the
test method tolerances.
1.6 This practice is presented in the following sections:
Scope
Referenced Documents
TERMINOLOGY
Definitions
Discussion of Terms
Expressing Test Method Tolerances
Tolerance Symbols
SUMMARY AND USES
Summary of Practice
Uses and Significance
MATHEMATICAL RELATIONSHIPS

Propagation Equations
Tolerance Terms
Determination Tolerances
Consistency Criteria
APPLICATION OF PRINCIPLES
Procedure
Mass per Unit Area Example
ANNEXES
General Propagation Equation
Specific Propagation Equations

9
10
11
12
13
14
Annex A1
Annex A2

1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the

safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 123 Terminology Relating to Textiles2
D 2905 Practice for Statements on Number of Specimens
for Textiles2
E 29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
Determine Conformance with Specifications3
E 456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics3
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 determination process, nthe act of carrying out the
series of operations specified in the test method whereby a
single value is obtained. (Syn. determination. See Section 4.)
3.1.1.1 DiscussionA determination process may involve
several measurements of the same type or different types, as
well as an equation by which the determination value is
calculated from the measurement values observed.
3.1.2 determination tolerance, nas specified in a test
method, the exactness with which a determination value is to
be calculated and recorded.
3.1.2.1 DiscussionIn this practice, the determination tolerance also serves as the bridge between the test result
tolerance and the measurement tolerances. The value of the
determination tolerance calculated from the specified test result
tolerance is compared with the value calculated from the
specified measurement tolerances.

Number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E11 on Quality and
Statistics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E11.20on Test Method
Evaluation and Quality Control.
Current edition approved March 30, 1984. Published August 1984.

2
3

Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 07.01.

Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.

Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

D 4356 84 (2002)
length and mass. Two different length measurements are made,
the length and the width of the specimen. One determination
value of the mass per unit area is calculated by dividing the
mass measurement value by the product of the length measurement value and the width measurement value from one
specimen.
4.1.3 If the test method directs that mass per unit area
determinations are to be made on three test specimens, the test
result is the average of the three determination values, each
obtained as directed in 4.1.2.
4.2 Test Method Tolerances:
4.2.1 The specified measurement tolerances tell the operator
how closely observations are to be made and recorded. Weigh
the specimen to the nearest 0.01 g and Measure the length of
the specimen to the nearest 0.02 in. are examples of typical
measurement tolerance specifications in a test method.
4.2.2 The specified determination and test result tolerances
tell the operator how many significant digits should be recorded in the determination value and in the test result,
respectively.

3.1.3 determination value, nthe numerical quantity calculated by means of the test method equation from the measurement values obtained as directed in a test method. (Syn.
determination. See Section 4.)
3.1.4 measurement process, nthe act of quantifying a
property or dimension. (Syn. measurement. See Section 4.)
3.1.4.1 DiscussionOne test method determination may
involve several different kinds of measurement.
3.1.5 measurement tolerance, nas specified in a test
method, the exactness with which a measurement is to be made
and recorded.
3.1.6 measurement tolerance propagation equation, nthe
mathematical formula, derived from the test method equation,
which shows the dependence of the determination tolerance on
the measurement tolerances. (Syn. propagation equation.)
3.1.6.1 DiscussionPropagation equations and the propagation of errors are discussed in Annex A1.
3.1.7 measurement value, nthe numerical result of quantifying a particular property or dimension. (Syn. measurement.
See Section 4.)
3.1.7.1 DiscussionMeasurement values in test methods
are of two general types: those whose magnitude is specified in
the test method, such as the dimensions of a specimen, and
those whose magnitude is found by testing, such as the
measured mass of a specimen.
3.1.8 propagation equation, nSynonym of measurement
tolerance propagation equation.
3.1.9 test method equation, nthe mathematical formula
specified in a test method, whereby the determination value is
calculated from measurement values.
3.1.10 test method tolerances, nas specified in a test
method, the measurement tolerances, the determination tolerance, and the test result tolerance.
3.1.11 test result, na value obtained by applying a given
test method, expressed either as a single determination or a
specified combination of a number of determinations.
3.1.11.1 DiscussionIn this practice the test result is the
average of the number of determination values specified in the
test method.
3.1.12 test result tolerance, nas specified in a test method,
the exactness with which a test result is to be recorded and
reported.
3.1.13 tolerance terms, nthe individual members of a
measurement tolerance propagation equation in which each
member contains only one test method tolerance.
3.1.14 For the definitions of other terms used in this
practice, refer to Terminology D 123 and Terminology E 456.

5. Expressing Test Method Tolerances

5.1 Tolerances in test methods are commonly specified in
one of four ways which are combinations of two general
distinctions. A test method tolerance may be absolute or
relative and may be expressed either as a range having an upper
and a lower limit or as the result of rounding-off. These
distinctions are illustrated by the following equivalent instructions that are possible in weighing a 5.00 g test specimen:
Upper and Lower Limit
Rounding-off

Absolute
within 60.005 g
to the nearest 0.01 g

Relative
within 60.1 %
to the nearest 0.2 %

5.2 Within one method, state all test method tolerances in

either the rounding-off mode or the upper and lower limit
mode. The rounding-off mode is preferred for all test methods.
Use a series of absolute tolerances for successive levels of a
measurement or determination in preference to a relative
tolerance.
5.3 The numerical value of a tolerance expressed in terms of
rounding-off is twice that for the same tolerance expressed as
an upper and lower limit. A discussion of rounding-off appears
in Section 3 of Practice E 29 and in Chapter 4 of Ref (1)4.
Numbers are usually rounded-off to the nearest 1, 2, or 5 units
in the last place.
6. Tolerance Symbols
6.1 An absolute tolerance is symbolized by a capital delta,
D, followed by a capital letter designating a measurement
value, a determination value or a test result. Thus, DA.
6.2 A relative tolerance is symbolized by the absolute
tolerance, D A, divided by the corresponding measurement
value, determination value, or test result, A. Thus, DA/A.
6.3 Relative tolerances are expressed as percentages by
100DA/A. All relative tolerances for a specific test method must
be expressed in the same way throughout, either as fractions or
as percentages.

4. Discussion of Terms
4.1 Test Results, Determinations, and Measurements:
4.1.1 A test result is always a value (numerical quantity),
but measurement and determination are often used as referring
to general concepts, processes or valuesthe context indicating which meaning is intended. In this practice it is necessary
to make these distinctions explicit by means of the terms given
in Section 3.
4.1.2 The necessary distinctions can be illustrated by a test
method for obtaining the mass per unit area of a fabric. Two
kinds of measurement are required for each test specimen,

4
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of
this standard.

D 4356 84 (2002)
SUMMARY AND USES

= the specimen length.

9.2.2 The corresponding propagation equation is Eq 2,
derived in A2.4.1.

7. Summary of Practice
7.1 A specific measurement tolerance propagation equation
relating the determination tolerance to the measurement tolerances is derived by applying an adaptation of the law of error
propagation to the test method equation. In this measurement
tolerance propagation equation, the determination tolerance
term should equal the sum of individual measurement tolerance
terms.
7.2 Tentative measurement and determination tolerance values are substituted in the propagation equation terms, and the
consistency of the selected test method tolerances is judged by
the relative magnitudes of the tolerance terms.
7.3 Successive adjustments in the selected test method
tolerance values are made until a consistent set of test method
tolerances is established.

~DW/W! 2 /2 5 ~DM/M! 2 1 ~DD/D! 2 1 ~DE/E! 2

where:
(DW/W)2/2
(DM/M)2
(DD/D)2
(DE/E)2

= the mass per unit area determination tolerance term,

= the mass measurement tolerance term,
= the width measurement tolerance term, and
= the length measurement tolerance term.

10. Tolerance Terms

10.1 As shown in Annex A2, every propagation equation
can be expressed in the form of r = a + b + c . . ., in which
each of the terms of this equation contains only one test method
tolerance. The r term contains the determination tolerance, DR,
and the other terms contain such measurement tolerances as
DA, DB, and DC. The terms r, a, b, and c are tolerance terms.
10.1.1 For the mass per unit area example r = (DW/W)2/2,
a = (DM/M)2, b = (DD/D)2, and c = (DE/E)2, as can be seen
from Eq 2.

8. Significance and Use

8.1 In any test method, every direction to measure a
property of a material should be accompanied by a measurement tolerance. Likewise, determination and test result tolerances should be specified. This practice provides a method for
evaluating the consistency of the test method tolerances
specified.
8.2 This practice should be used both in the development of
new test methods and in evaluating old test methods which are
being revised.
8.3 The test result tolerance obtained using this practice is
not a substitute for a precision statement based on interlaboratory testing. However, the measurement tolerances selected
by means of this practice will be an important part of the test
method conditions affecting the precision of the test method.

NOTE 1The number of measurement tolerance terms is not restricted

to 3, of course, but matches the number of measurements, q, for which
tolerances are specified.

10.2 The key to this practice is the recognition that there are
two ways of calculating the determination tolerance term:
10.2.1 The determination tolerance term, r, can be calculated from a specified value of DR using the expression for r
given in the propagation equation. For example, in Eq 2
r = (DW/W)2/2. By substituting a typical value for W and a
specified value for DW, a value of r is obtained.
10.2.2 The determination tolerance term can also be calculated as the sum of the measurement tolerance terms a, b, c,
etc., which have been calculated from specified values of DA,
DB, DC, etc. For the mass per unit area example, an estimate
of the value of r may be obtained from values of a, b, and c
found by substituting values of DM, M, DD, D, DE, and E in
the tolerance term expressions (DM/M)2, (DD/D)2 and (DE/E)2.
10.3 These two ways of calculating the determination tolerance term usually produce different results, often radically
different. In order to deal with this inconsistency, the second
way of calculating the determination tolerance term is labelled
u, which equals a + b + c + . . . .
10.3.1 Therefore, in the following sections, r is the determination tolerance term value calculated from the specified
determination tolerance by means of the expression for r
supplied in the propagation equation, and u is the determination tolerance term value calculated from the specified measurement tolerances by means of the expressions for the
measurement tolerance terms, a, b, c, etc., supplied in the
propagation equation.
10.3.2 The term, r, is the specified determination tolerance
term and u is the effective determination tolerance term.

MATHEMATICAL RELATIONSHIPS
9. Propagation Equations
9.1 The test method equations by which determination
values are calculated from measurement values in textile
testing usually involve simple sums or differences, products or
ratios, or combinations of these. Measurement tolerance propagation equations for each of these types of relationships are
derived in Annex A2 by applying the general measurement
tolerance propagation equation, developed in Annex A1, to
each of the typical test method equations. Propagation equations for a number of textile test method equations are given in
Table A2.1.
9.2 In the following discussion, the determination of mass
per unit area is used to illustrate the principles involved in
obtaining consistent tolerances.
9.2.1 Eq 1 is a typical mass per unit area equation.
W 5 KM/DE

(2)

(1)

where:
W = the mass per unit area,
K = a constant to change W from one set of units to
another,
M = the specimen mass,
D = the specimen width, and

11. Determination Tolerances

11.1 The propagation equation relates the determination
tolerance to the specified measurement tolerances. However, in
3

D 4356 84 (2002)
before an acceptable set of specified test method tolerances and
measurement values is obtained.
13.1.1 In Step 2, acceptable measurement tolerance ranges
are calculated from the desired determination tolerance, the
specified measurement values, and the consistency criterion
stated in 12.2.
13.1.2 In Step 3, the selection of new tolerance and measurement values follows after comparing the starting values
assembled in the first step with the acceptable ranges calculated
in the second step. In making this selection, consideration is
given to the feasibility of attaining the selected measurement
tolerances with the apparatus and procedure given in the test
method.
13.1.3 In Step 4, the selected values from Step 3 are next
evaluated for consistency. To do this, these values are put in
tolerance term form and the tolerance ratios are compared
directly with the consistency criteria.
13.1.4 This consistency evaluation usually will suggest
further study of the test method to see what changes can be
made to achieve adequate consistency. If changes in any of the
test method tolerances or in any of the specified measurement
values are made, Steps 2, 3, and 4 must be repeated.
13.2 Step 1, Preliminaries:
13.2.1 Propagation EquationObtain the measurement tolerance propagation equation corresponding to the test method
equation. If the equation is not listed in Table A2.1, follow the
directions given in Annex A2.
13.2.2 Tolerance TermsIdentify the individual tolerance
terms in the propagation equation and label them r, a, b, c, etc.
as described in Section 10.
13.2.3 Measurement ValuesWhen any of the tolerance
terms contains measurement value(s) found by testing, select at
least two values of R which are representative of the range in
which the test method is to be used. Calculate the corresponding measurement values from the selected determination values
using the test method equation.
13.2.3.1 As described in 3.1.7, measurement values are of
two kinds. One is specified in the test method, for example, the
dimensions of a specimen. The other is found by testing and
varies with the material being tested, the mass of a specimen,
for instance. Changes in the determination value, R, will result
from changes in measurement values found by testing.
13.2.3.2 The magnitudes of these measurement values affect
the relationship between the measurement tolerances and the
determination tolerance. Therefore, specific values of each
must be selected.
13.2.3.3 The process of evaluating the tolerances for consistency and feasibility may lead to changes in the specified
measurement values in order to achieve one or the other
objective.
13.2.4 Starting Tolerance ValuesList all available test
method tolerances, and label them as described in Section 6.
Convert relative tolerances to absolute tolerances, using the
selected measurement values, so that the effect of the latter
may be seen more readily.
13.2.4.1 When the test method specifies that more than one
determination is to be made for a test result, calculate the
starting determination tolerance value, to three significant

a test method it is usually the test result tolerance that is

specified rather than the determination tolerance. Therefore, a
bridge from the test result tolerance to the determination
tolerance is necessary. This is supplied by Eq 3.
DR 5 DQ=n

(3)

where:
DR = the determination tolerance, to three significant digits,
DQ = the test result tolerance, to one significant digit, and
n
= the number of determinations per test result.
See A1.3 for a derivation of Eq 3.
NOTE 2While only one significant digit should be used for test result
and measurement tolerances, three significant digits should be retained in
the determination tolerance since it is a mathematical extension of the test
result tolerance. In an extended calculation it is good practice to protect
significant information being transmitted through intermediate stages of
the calculation by retaining one or two extra significant digits on
intermediate values used in the calculation.

12. Consistency Criteria

12.1 Two types of inconsistencies have been observed in
test method tolerances. The first occurs between the specified
determination tolerance and the value of the effective determination tolerance actually obtainable from the specified measurement tolerance, as discussed in 10.3. The second occurs
between the specified measurement tolerances. In comparing
the measurement tolerance terms of two measurements, it is
often found that the one term will be more than 10 times the
other so that the larger term dominates (and the smaller term is
negligible) in its effect on the effective determination tolerance
term, u. Such inconsistencies need to be examined. The means
used in this practice is to study the tolerance term ratios u/r, a/r,
b/r, c/r, etc.
12.2 Corresponding to these two inconsistencies are two
norms which are stated in Eq 4 and Eq 5.
0.2 # u/r # 2.0

(4)

0.2/q # a/r, b/r, c/r, etc. # 2.0/q

(5)

where:
u
= the sum of the measurement tolerance terms,
r
= the specified determination tolerance term,
q
= the number of measurements, and
a, b, c, etc., = the measurement tolerance terms.
12.3 These ranges of acceptable ratio values should not be
used rigidly. Rather, they should be taken as guidelines for
constructive evaluation of the test method tolerances specified.
For instance, an unusually low measurement tolerance term
may be acceptable because there is little or no added cost in
achieving the specified measurement tolerance instead of a
larger one.
APPLICATION OF PRINCIPLES
13. Procedure
13.1 IntroductionThe procedure in this practice falls into
four steps. In the first step the propagation equation is obtained
and all available information on the test method tolerances and
measurement values is assembled. This is done only once. The
remaining three steps probably will be repeated at least once
4

D 4356 84 (2002)
13.5.5 Compare each of a/r, b/r, c/r, etc. with 0.2/q and 2/q.
13.5.5.1 This comparison should disclose no surprises,
since a measurement tolerance below the lower limit established in 13.3 will have a ratio lower than 0.2/q and vice versa.
However, comparing these ratios with the consistency criterion
will reveal the extent of the inconsistency that exists.
13.5.5.2 If the ratio is greater than 2.0/q, study the tolerance
and any measurement value included in the tolerance term.
Will a change in measurement value decrease the tolerance
term value?
13.6 Successive TrialsThe remainder of the procedure
consists of a succession of trials in which changes are made in
test method tolerances and specified measurement values until
a set of values is obtained which is both feasible and reasonably consistent. There are three aspects to the feasibility
evaluation, which are summed up in the following questions
the task group members must answer to their satisfaction.
13.6.1 Is the test result tolerance small enough to meet the
needs of the users of the test method? Is it smaller than need
be?
13.6.2 Can each measurement tolerance be achieved with
the apparatus and procedure given in the test method?
13.6.3 If changes in the test method (new apparatus, larger
specimens, more determinations, changes in technique, etc.)
are necessary to achieve consistency, will the cost of testing be
increased unreasonably?

digits, from the selected test method tolerance value and the
number of determinations specified in the test method, using
Eq 3 (11.1). Even if no other test method tolerance is specified,
specify a determination tolerance value, DR.
NOTE 3Refer to Practice D 2905 for guidance in using available
precision data to obtain starting values of n to achieve the selected test
method tolerance, DQ, from the determination tolerance, DR.

13.3 Step 2, Acceptable Tolerance Ranges:

13.3.1 Calculate the specified determination tolerance term,
r, to two significant digits, from DR for each of the values of
R selected.
13.3.2 For each value of R, calculate a lower and an upper
limit for a/r, b/r, c/r, etc. from Eq 5 in 12.2, using a value of q
equal to the number of measurements in the test method
equation. Retain only two significant digits.
13.3.3 Multiply each of the above limit values by the
corresponding value of r to obtain the lower and upper limit
values of a, b, c, etc. Retain only two significant digits.
13.3.4 Calculate lower and upper limit values of the individual measurement tolerances from a, b, c, etc. using the
formulas identified as directed in 13.2. Retain only one
significant digit.
13.3.5 Display the values obtained in 13.3 in a table for
convenience in evaluating.
13.4 Step 3, New Values:
13.4.1 Compare the specified tolerance values with the
lower and upper tolerance limits calculated as directed in 13.3.
13.4.2 If any tolerance is less than the lower limit, it is
usually wise to delay further consideration until the other
tolerances have been dealt with. Then, decide whether there
would be any appreciable saving in equipment, material, or
labor that would make going to a larger tolerance worthwhile.
A small tolerance on one measurement may permit the use of
an oversize tolerance for another measurement in meeting
the consistency criterion for the determination tolerance.
13.4.3 If any measurement tolerance is greater than the
upper limit, consider what changes in measurement tolerance
are feasible. In general, select the smallest practical tolerance
for use in the next step.
13.5 Step 4, Consistency EvaluationAfter a new set of
test method tolerances has been selected and evaluated for
feasibility, it is ready for consistency evaluation.
13.5.1 Substitute the selected values of test method tolerances and measurement values, together with the corresponding determination values, in the appropriate tolerance terms
and calculate values of r, a, b, c, etc. to two significant digits.
13.5.2 Calculate the sum of the measurement tolerance term
values, u = a + b + c + . . . .
13.5.3 Calculate the ratios u/r, a/r, b/r, c/r, etc. to two
significant digits.
13.5.4 Compare u/r with 0.2 and 2.0. If u/r is greater than
2.0, study the measurement tolerance terms for the cause(s). If
u/r is less than 0.2, consider reducing the determination and
test method tolerances. Also keep in mind that the value of the
test result tolerance is determined by the determination tolerance value and the number of determinations specified by the
test method according to Eq 3. Thus, r can be reduced or
increased by changing n.

14. Mass per Unit Area Example

14.1 Test Method DirectionsThe example chosen to illustrate the procedure described in Section 13 starts with the
following directions: Cut five specimens 2.5 6 0.05 in. by 10.0
6 0.05 in., weigh each specimen to the nearest 0.01 g, and
calculate the average mass per unit area in ounces per square
yard to the nearest 0.1 oz/yd2. Typical areal densities for this
material range from 10 to 60 oz/yd2.
14.2 Step 1, Preliminaries:
14.2.1 Propagation Equation:
14.2.1.1 The test method equation is Eq 6.
W 5 KM/DE

(6)

where:
W = mass per unit area, oz/yd2,
K = constant to convert the measurement dimensional
units to oz/yd2 ,
M = specimen mass, g,
D = specimen width, in., and
E = specimen length, in.
14.2.1.2 As shown in 9.1.2 and A2.4, the corresponding
propagation equation is Eq 7.
~DW/W! 2 /2 5 ~DM/M! 2 1 ~DD/D! 2 1 ~DE/E! 2

(7)

where:
DW = specified determination tolerance,
DM = specified measurement tolerance for specimen mass,
DD = specified measurement tolerance for specimen
width, and
DE = specified measurement tolerance for specimen
length.
14.2.2 Tolerance Terms:
5

D 4356 84 (2002)
b, and c, using Eq 9, Eq 10, and Eq 11. For instance DM = M
=~17 3 1026 ! = 0.02 g, for the 10 oz/yd2
material.
14.3.5 All of the above values in 14.3 are summarized in
Table 2.
14.4 Step 3, New Values:
14.4.1 The specified mass tolerance of 0.01 g is obviously
smaller than need be to meet the consistency criteria. However,
with present-day laboratory balances, it is no easier or less
expensive to measure to a tolerance of between 0.02 and 0.07
g. Therefore leave DM at 0.01 g.
14.4.2 The specified specimen dimension tolerance of 0.1
in. is larger than the upper limit for all but the length
measurement at 10 oz/yd2. A study of the dimension measurement process indicates a tolerance of 0.02 in. should be
feasible. This is lower than need be for the length measurement
at 10 oz/yd2 but just below the upper limit for 60 oz/yd2. For
the width measurement, however, 0.02 in. is still much too
large at 60 oz/yd2. An obvious solution to this problem would
be to increase the specimen width to 10 in. so that the tolerance
ranges for D would be the same as for E. However, this would
quadruple the amount of material required and increase the cost
of testing. Alternatively, a 5 by 5 in. specimen would have no
longer area than the 2.5 by 10.0 in. specimen, and the tolerance
range for the width would be the same as for E, better for D and
worse for E.
14.5 Step 4, Consistency Evaluation:
14.5.1 Table 3 shows the effect of going to a 5 by 5 in.
specimen and measuring the specimen dimensions to the
nearest 0.02 in. In the upper half of the table are given the
values of the tolerance terms a, b, c, and u; and in the bottom
half, the tolerance ratios a/r, b/r, c/r and u/r.
14.5.2 Table 4 shows the effect of going to a 10 by 10 in.
specimen and measuring the specimen dimensions to the
nearest 0.02 in.
14.5.3 Keeping in mind the ratio criterion range of 0.067 to
0.67, from these two tables it can be seen that while the 5 by
5 in. specimen size is adequate for the material having a mass
per unit area of 10 oz/yd2 (and up to 32 oz/yd2), it is still not
satisfactory for 60 oz/yd2 material. On the other hand, the 10
by 10 in. specimen size is about right for the 60 oz/yd2
material, and much larger than need be for 10 oz/yd2.
14.5.4 Thus, the task group appears to be faced with the
choice of using larger specimens for heavier materials or of
accepting a greater test result tolerance for heavier materials. A

14.2.2.1 The tolerance terms in this propagation equation

are given by Eq 8, Eq 9, Eq 10, and Eq 11.
r 5 ~DW/W!2 /2,

(8)

a 5 ~DM/M! ,
2

b 5 ~DD/D! ,

=a = 5.47 x

(9)

and
2

c 5 ~DE/E! .

(10)
(11)

14.2.2.2 The effective determination tolerance term is given

u5a1b1c

(12)

14.2.2.3 The specified determination tolerance term is r, as

given by Eq 8.
14.2.3 Determination and Measurement Values:
14.2.3.1 The propagation equation contains both absolute
tolerances (DW, DM, DD, and DE) and determination and
measurement values (W, M, D, and E) for which values must
be selected.
14.2.3.2 The specimen dimensions are specified as D = 2.5
in. and E = 10.0 in.
14.2.3.3 The specimen mass is calculated from the expected
range of test results by means of Eq 1, with K = 45.72 to
convert from g/in.2 to oz/yd2. For the initial consistency
evaluation, choose two values for W: 10 oz/yd2 and 60 oz/yd2.
The corresponding values of M are 5.47 g and 32.8 g.
14.2.4 Starting Tolerance Values:
14.2.4.1 The rounded-off mode of expressing the absolute
tolerances is used.
14.2.4.2 The test method directions in 14.1 give the measurement tolerances as M = 0.01 g, D = 0.1 in., and E = 0.1 in.
14.2.4.3 The specified determination tolerance is calculated
from the specified test result tolerance of 0.1 oz/yd2 and the
specified number of determinations, 5, using Eq 8. DW = 0.1
=5 = 0.224 oz/yd2.
14.2.5 Summary of ValuesAll of these initial values are
given in Table 1.
14.3 Step 2, Acceptable Tolerance Ranges:
14.3.1 Calculate the specified determination tolerance term,
r, from W = 0.224 oz/yd2 for the two values of W selected,
using Eq 8.
14.3.2 For each value of W, calculate a lower and an upper
limit value for a/r, b/r, and c/r from Eq 5 in 12.2 using q = 3,
since there are three measurements.
14.3.3 Multiply each of the values calculated as directed in
14.3.2 by the corresponding value of r. These are the lower and
upper limits of a, b, and c.
14.3.4 Obtain lower and upper limit values of the measurement tolerances DM, DD, and DE from the above values of a,

TABLE 2 Mass per Unit Area ExampleAcceptable Tolerance

Ranges
W
DW
r

TABLE 1 Mass Per Unit Area ExampleStarting Determination,

Measurement, and Tolerance Values
Equation Element
Mass per unit area, W
Specimen Mass, M
Specimen Width, D
Specimen Length, E

Tolerances
DW = 0.224 oz/yd
DM = 0.01 g
DD = 0.1 in.
DE = 0.1 in.

Lower

Determination and Measurement

Values
10 oz/yd2
5.47 g
2.5 in.
10.0 in.

10 oz/yd2
0.224 oz/yd2
250 3 106

a/r, b/r, c/r

a, b, c
DM
DD
DE

60 oz/yd2
32.8 g
2.5 in.
10.0 in.

0.067
17 3 106
0.02 g
0.01 in.
0.04 in.

Upper
0.67
170 3 106
0.07 g
0.03 in.
0.13 in.

60 oz/yd2
0.224 oz/yd2
7.0 3 106
Lower
0.067
0.47 3 106
0.02 g
0.002 in.
0.007 in.

Upper
0.67
4.7 3 106
0.07 g
0.005 in.
0.022 in.

D 4356 84 (2002)
TABLE 3 Mass per Unit Area ExampleConsistency Evaluation 5 by 5 in. Specimen
Tolerance Terms
Measurement

M
D
E

Measurement Values
5.47, 32.8 g
5 in.
5 in.

Tolerances
0.01 g
0.02 in.
0.02 in.

10 oz/yd2
a 3.3 3 10
b 16 3 106
c 16 3 106
u 35 3 106

Ratio

M
D
E

a/r
b/r
c/r
u/r

60 oz/yd2
a 0.093 3 106
b 16 3 106
c 16 3 106
u 32 3 106
Tolerance Ratios

0.013
0.064
0.064
0.14

0.013
2.3
2.3
4.6

TABLE 4 Mass per Unit Area ExampleConsistency Evaluation 10 by 10 in. Specimen

Tolerance Terms
Measurement

M
D
E

Measurement Values
5.47, 32.8 g
10 in.
10 in.

Tolerances
0.01 g
0.02 in.
0.02 in.

10 oz/yd2
a 3.3 3 10
b 4.0 3 106
c 4.0 3 106
u 11.3 3 106
6

Ratio

M
D
E

a/r
b/r
c/r
u/r

60 oz/yd2
a 0.093 3 106
b 4.0 3 106
c 4.0 3 106
u 8.1 3 106
Tolerance Ratios

0.013
0.016
0.016
0.045

0.013
0.57
0.57
1.16

TABLE 5 Mass per Unit Area ExampleAcceptable Tolerance

Ranges with 5 by 5 in. Specimens and a Relative Test Result
Tolerance of 0.5 %

way of dealing with this latter option is to specify a relative

tolerance instead of an absolute tolerance for reporting the test
result.
14.6 Relative Test Result Tolerance:
14.6.1 The relative test result tolerance could be given in a
statement such as: Report the mass per unit area to the nearest
0.5 %.
14.6.2 For evaluating the effect of specifying a relative test
method tolerance, express the relative tolerance as a fraction
rather than a percent. The determination tolerance corresponding to 0.5 % is 0.005 =5 = 0.0112 (by Eq 3, since the test
result value equals the average of the individual determination
values) and r = 63 3 106 for all levels of mass per unit area.
Table 5 shows the effect of the relative test method tolerance on
the acceptable tolerance ranges, using a 5 by 5 in. specimen
size. Table 6 shows the effect on the toleranceratios.
14.6.3 This approach, using 5 by 5 in. specimens and a test
result tolerance of 0.5 %, brings the dimension tolerances and
the tolerance ratios both within the acceptable ranges established by the consistency criteria at the expense of accepting
larger absolute test result tolerances for heavier materials.

10 oz/yd2
Lower

r
a/r, b/r, c/r
a, b, c
DM
DD
DE

63 3 106
0.067
4.2 3 106
0.01 g
0.01 in.
0.01 in.

60 oz/yd2
Upper

Lower

Upper

63 3 106
0.67
42 3 106
0.04 g
0.03 in.
0.03 in.

63 3 106
0.067
4.2 3 106
0.07 g
0.01 in.
0.01 in.

63 3 106
0.67
42 3 106
0.2 g
0.03 in.
0.03 in.

14.7 Additional Work:

14.7.1 The task group may, at this point, decide that enough
work had been done and choose one of the above options to
include in the test method standard.
14.7.2 The next step will be to conduct an interlaboratory
study, using the selected measurement tolerances, in order to
establish the precision of the test result obtained under these
conditions.

D 4356 84 (2002)
TABLE 6 Mass per Unit Area ExampleConsistency Evaluation with 5 by 5 in. Specimens and a Relative Test Result
Tolerance of 0.5 %
Tolerance Terms
Measurement

Measurement Values

Tolerances

M
D
E

5.47, 32.8 g
5 in.
5 in.

0.01 g
0.02 in.
0.02 in.

10 oz/yd2
a 3.3 3 106
b 16 3 106
c 16 3 106
u 35 3 106

Ratio

M
D
E

a/r
b/r
c/r
u/r

60 oz/yd2
a 0.093 3 106
b 16 3 106
c 16 3 106
u 32 3 106
Tolerance Ratios

0.05
0.25
0.25
0.56

0.001
0.25
0.25
0.51

ANNEXES
(Mandatory Information)
A1. GENERAL MEASUREMENT TOLERANCE PROPAGATION EQUATION
TABLE A1.1 Determination Tolerance Term Divisor As Function
of Measurement Tolerance Ratio for Eq A1.5

A1.1 Statement of General Equation

A1.1.1 For any specific test method, the test method equation relating the measurement tolerances to the determination
tolerance is obtained by applying Eq A1.1, the general measurement tolerance propagation equation, to the test method
equation.
q

DR2 /2 5

where:
Xi
q
DXi
DXi2
R
DR
DR2
]R/]Xi
q

(
i51

=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=

( ~]R/]Xi !2 DXi 2
i51

(A1.1)

the measurements made on a test specimen,

the number of independent measurements,
the specified measurement tolerances,
the square of DXi,
the determination value, a function of the q
measurements, X1, X2, X3 . . . Xq,
the determination tolerance,
the square of DR,
the partial differential of R with respect to Xi, and
the operation of summing the q terms of the form
(]R/]Xi)2DXi2.

0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0

1.00
1.20
1.38
1.55
1.69
1.80
1.88
1.94
1.98
1.99
2.00

DR 2 ~1 1 p 2 !
Var R 5 12
~1 1 p! 2

A1.2.1 This general measurement tolerance propagation

equation is derived from the well known law of error propagation (2) given in Eq A1.2.
Xi

(A1.3)

Eq A1.3 is derived by applying the integration for the second

moment about a zero mean to the probability density equations
of an isosceles trapezoidal distribution. The distribution of R is
rectangular at p = 0, trapezoidal for 0 < p < 1 and triangular at
p = 1. The corresponding variances for p = 0 and p = 1 from Eq
A1.3 are DR2 /12 and DR2/24, respectively. The trapezoidal
variances are intermediate to those for rectangular and triangular distributions as shown in Table A1.1.
A1.2.4 Substituting the measurement variances, DX12/12
and DX22/12, and the determination variance expressed by Eq
A1.3 in Eq A1.2 produces Eq A1.4.

( ~]R/]Xi !2 Var
i51

Divisor (1 + p)2/(1 + p2)

A1.2.3 The sum, R(X1, X2) of two variables, X1 and X2,

having rectangular distributions of the same range
(DX1 = DX2) has a triangular distribution (3). When the ranges
are different (DX1 fi DX2), the distribution of the sum is an
isosceles trapezoid.5 By setting DX2 = pDX1 with 0 # p # 1,
the range of R can be expressed by D R = (1 + p)DX1 and the
variance of the trapezoidal distribution is given by Eq A1.3.

A1.2 Derivative of General Equation

Var R 5

Ratio p

(A1.2)

where:
Var R

= the variance of R = the square of the standard

deviation of R, and
Var Xi = the variance of Xi = the square of the standard
deviation of Xi.
A1.2.2 Since the Xi are rounded values, their distributions
are rectangular (1). The range of each distribution is DXi, and
the uniform probability density of the distribution is 1/DXi. The
variance of this rectangular distribution (1) is DXi2/12.

5
The isosceles trapezoidal probability density curve is determined by convolutions as described in Ref (4).

D 4356 84 (2002)
DR 2 ~1 1 p 2 !/~1 1 p! 2 5 ~]R/]X1 ! 2 DX1

rectangular but are approximately normal and the distribution

of the test result is also normal.
A1.3.2 The variance of a normally distributed variable is
given by Eq A1.8 (see A1.2.5).

1 ~]R/]X2 ! 2 DX2 2
(A1.4)

Since ]R/]X1 and ]R/]X2 are both 1, Eq A1.4 reduces to Eq

A1.5.
DR 2 /@~1 1 p! 2 /~1 1 p 2 !# 5 DX1

1 DX2

Var R 5 8DR 2 /4z 2

(A1.5)

From Table A1.1 we see that 2 is a good approximation for

(1 + p) 2 /(1 + p 2) for values of p greater than 0.5.
A1.2.5 The distribution of the sum, R, of four or more
rectangularly distributed variables of the same range is essentially normal (5). The effective range of a normal distribution
at a given probability level is DR = 2z =Var R , where z is the
number of standard deviation units associated with the given
probability level, and so Var R = DR 2/4z 2. Therefore, for a
determination having a normal distribution the test method
tolerances are related as shown in Eq A1.6.

where:
R
= the normally distributed variable,
Var R = the variance of R = the square of the standard
deviation of R,
DR
= the expected range of R, and
z
= the number of standard deviation units associated
with a given probability level.
A1.3.3 The equation relating the test result to the determination value is Eq A1.9.
n

Q5

DR

5 ~4z 2 /12!

( ~]R/]Xi ! 2 DXi 2
i5q

(A1.6)

~]R/]Xi !2 D Xi 2

(A1.9)

Var Q 5

( ~]Q/Ri !2 Var Ri
i51

(A1.10)

Applying Eq A1.8 to Q and the Ri in Eq A1.10, and deriving

the ]Q/]Ri from Eq A1.9, we obtain Eq A1.11.

i51

( Ri /n
i51

where:
Q
= the test result,
Ri
= the ith determination value,
n
= the number of determination values, and
n
= the operation of summing the n determination
(
values.
i51
A1.3.4 Applying Eq A1.2-A1.9 we obtain Eq A1.10.

This equation is derived by substituting the above value of

Var R in Eq A1.2 as well as Var Xi = DXi2/12. For 4z2/12 = 2,
as suggested in A1.2.4, z = 2.45. This value of z corresponds to
a probability level of 98.6 % that the determination value, R,
lies within the range DR.
A1.2.6 The above discussions indicate that since the measurement values, Xi , have rectangular distributions and the
determination value, R, may have a trapezoidal, triangular,
normal or some intermediate distribution, the relationship
between DR and the DXi has the form shown in Eq A1.7.
DR2 /k 5

(A1.8)

(A1.7)

DQ 2 5 DR 2 /n

Furthermore, for accomplishing the purposes of this practice

setting, k = 2 is considered an adequate allowance for the
differences in distribution between R and the Xi. Substituting 2
for k in Eq A1.7 produces the general measurement tolerance
propagation equation used in this practice.

(A1.11)

where:
DQ = the specified test result tolerance,
DR = the specified determination tolerance, and
n
= the number of determinations averaged.
A1.3.5 The specified determination tolerance used in the
procedure of this practice is calculated from the specified test
result tolerance by means of Eq A1.12 which is merely a
rearrangement of Eq A1.11.

A1.3 Test Result and Determination Tolerances

A1.3.1 When a test result is calculated as the average of a
number of determination values, Eq A1.1 does not apply
because the distributions of the determination values are not

DR 5 DQ=n

(A1.12)

A2. SPECIFIC MEASUREMENT TOLERANCE PROPAGATION EQUATIONS

A2.1 Introduction
A2.1.1 Test Method EquationsThe equations by which
determination values are calculated from measurement values
in textile testing usually involve simple sums or differences,
products or ratios, or combinations of these.
A2.1.2 Propagation EquationsThe following sections
present typical examples of such test method equations and the
derivation of the corresponding specific measurement tolerance
propagation equations by applying the general measurement
tolerance propagation equation, Eq A2.1, to the test method
equations.

D R2 /2 5

( ~]R/]Xi !2 DXi 2
i51

(A2.1)

where:
DR
= tolerance expected for the determination value, R,
= tolerances specified for the measurement values,
DXi
Xi,
= partial derivatives of R by Xi, and
]R/Xi
q
= operation of summing the q terms of the form
(
(]R/]Xi)2DXi2.
i51
See Annex A1. for the derivation of Eq A1.1.

D 4356 84 (2002)
= (]R/]Xi)2DXi2, the tolerance term for the measurement
value, Xi.
A2.1.4 Equation Types and ExamplesFor each of three
types of test method equation, a specific case having only a few
measurements is presented. For the first two equations, the
general case having an indefinite number of measurements is
also given. A list of propagation equation terms for test method
equations commonly occurring in textile testing is given in
Table A2.1.

A2.1.3 Tolerance TermsAs stated in 10.1, every measurement tolerance propagation equation can be expressed in the
form of Eq A2.2

xi

r 5

( xi

(A2.2)

i51

where:
r = D R2/2, the tolerance term for the determination value,
R, and

SIMPLE SUMS OR DIFFERENCES

since G and T are independent measurements and, thus,
]T/]G = 0 and ]G/]T = 0. Substituting these partial derivative
values in Eq A2.4 produces the specific measurement tolerance
propagation equation Eq A2.6.

A2.2 Specific Case

A2.2.1 Test Method EquationThe net mass of a test
specimen is obtained by subtracting the tare mass of a watch
glass, on which the specimen is placed for weighing, from the
gross mass of the specimen together with the watch glass. The
net mass of the specimen is calculated using Eq A2.3.
N5G2T

DN 2 /2 5 DG 2 1 DT 2

A2.2.3 Tolerance TermsThe tolerance term form of Eq

A2.6 is Eq A2.7.

(A2.3)

where:
N = net mass of the test specimen,
G = gross mass of the specimen together with watch glass,
and
T = tare mass of the watch glass.
A2.2.2 Propagation EquationApplying Eq A1.1-A2.3
produces Eq A2.4.
DN 2 /2 5 ~]N/]G! 2 DG 2 1 ~]N/]T! 2 DT 2

r5a1b

(A2.7)

where:
r = DN2/2, the tolerance term for the net mass determination value,
a = DG2, the tolerance term for the gross mass measurement value, and
b = DT2, the tolerance term for the tare mass measurement
value.

(A2.4)

where:
DN
= tolerance expected for the net mass determination
value, N,
DG
= tolerance specified for the gross mass measurement value, G,
DT
= tolerance specified for the tare mass measurement
value, T,
]N/]G = partial derivative of N by G, and
]N/]T = partial derivative of N by T.
The solutions for the two partial derivatives are:
]N/]G 5 ]G/]G 2 ]T/]G 5 1, and

(A2.6)

A2.3 General Case for Sums or Differences

A2.3.1 Test Method EquationFor any number of different
measurements on the same specimen, the test method equation
is Eq A2.8.
q

R5

( ai Xi
i51

(A2.8)

where:
R = determination value,
Xi = measurement value of the ith property,

(A2.5)

]N/]T 5 ]G/]T 2 ]T/]T 2 1,

TABLE A2.1 Propagation Equation Tolerance Terms for Typical Test Method Equations for Textiles
r

Test Method Equation

R = K(A B)
R = KA/B
R = KA/(A + B)
R = KA/(B A)
R = A/(B + C D)
R = K(A B)/A
R = K(A B)/B
R = K(A B)/C
R = K(A B)/BC
R = K(A B)/(C B)

DR /2
(DR/R)2/2
(DR/R)2/2
(DR/R)2/2
(DR/R)2/2
(DR/R)2/2
(DR/R)2/2
(DR/R)2/2
(DR/R)2/2
(DR/R)2/2
2

=a

+b

= K DA
= (DA/A)2
= [B/(A + B)]2(DA/A)2
= [B/(B A)]2 (DA/A)2
= (DA/A)2
= [BDA/A(A B)]2
= [DA/(A B)]2
= [DA/(A B)]2
= [DA/(A B)]2
= [DA/(A B)]2
2

+c

+ K DB
+ (DB/B)2
+ [B/(A + B)]2(D/B)2
+ [B/(BA)]2 + (DB/B)2
+ [DB/(B + C D)]2
+ [DB/(A B)]2
+ [ADB/B(A B)]2
+ [DB/(A B)]2
+ [ADB/B(A B)]2
+ [(A C)DB/(A B)(C
2

+d

+ [DC/(B + C D)]2

+ (DC/C)2
+ (DC/C)2
B)]2 + [DC/(C B)]2

+ [DD/(B + C D)]2

ASTM Standard
D 2654
D 1775
D 1574
D 885
D 1585
D 204
D 461
D 461
D 76
D 2402

NOTE 1As described in the text, the lowercase letters represent the tolerance terms of a propagation equation. The uppercase letters symbolize the
constants and variables in a test method equation. K is a dimensional constant. R is the determination value. A, B, C and D are measurement values.

10

D 4356 84 (2002)
ai
= ]R/]Xi, the partial derivative of R by Xi.
A2.3.3 Tolerance TermsThe tolerance term form of Eq
A2.9 is Eq A2.10.

ai

= a real number that is the coefficient of the ith term in

the test method equation (for example, in Eq A2.3 the
coefficient of G is + 1 and that for T is 1, and
q = number of properties measured.
A2.3.2 Propagation EquationApplying Eq A1.1-A2.8
produces the specific measurement tolerance propagation equation Eq A2.9.

r5

i51

ai 2 D Xi 2

(A2.10)

where:
r = DR2/2, the tolerance term for the determination value,
R, and
xi = ai2Xi2, the tolerance term for the measurement value,
Xi.

DR2 /2 5

( xi
i51

(A2.9)

where:
DR = tolerance expected for the determination value, R,
DXi = tolerance specified for the measurement value, Xi,
and

SIMPLE PRODUCTS, RATIOS, OR POWERS

A2.4 Specific Case

~DW/W! 2 /2 5 ~DM/M! 2 1 ~DD/D! 2 1 ~DE/E! 2

A2.4.1 Test Method and EquationThe mass per unit area

of a rectangular test specimen obtained by weighing and
measuring the length and width of a test specimen is calculated
using Eq A2.11.
W 5 KM/DE

A2.4.3 Tolerance TermsThe tolerance term form of Eq

A2.14 is Eq A2.15.
r5a1b1c

(A2.15)

where:
r = (DW/W)2/2, the tolerance term for the
area, W,
a = (DM/M)2, the tolerance term for the
mass, M,
b = (DD/D)2, the tolerance term for the
width, D, and
c = (DE/E)2, the tolerance term for the
length, E.

(A2.11)

where:
W = mass per unit area,
K = constant to change W from one set of units to another,
M = mass of the test specimen,
D = width of the test specimen, and
E = length of the test specimen.
Here the Xi of Eq A1.1 are X1 = M, X2 = D and X3 = E. The
determination value R = W.
A2.4.2 Propagation EquationApplying Eq A1.1-A2.11
produces Eq A2.12
DW2 /2 5 ~]W/]M!2 DM2 1 ~]W/]D!2 DD2
1 ~]W/]E!2 DE2

(A2.14)

mass per unit

test specimen
test specimen
test specimen

A2.5 General Case

A2.5.1 Test Method EquationFor any number of different
measurements on the same test specimen, the test method
equation is Eq A2.16.

(A2.12)

q
R 5 K P X i mi
i51

where:
DW
DM

(A2.16)

= tolerance expected for the mass per unit area, W,

= tolerance specified for the test specimen mass,
M,
DD
= tolerance specified for the test specimen width,
D,
DE
= tolerance specified for the test specimen length,
E,
]W/]M = partial derivative of W by M,
]W/]D = partial derivative of W by D, and
]W/]E = partial derivative of W by E.
The solutions of the three partial derivatives are: ]W/
]M = K/DE, ]W/]D = KM/D2 E and ]W/]E = KM/DE2.
Substituting these values in Eq A2.12 produces Eq A2.13.

NOTE A2.1The value of mi is +1 for measurement values in the

numerator, 1 for those in the denominator; +k for positive powers and k
for negative powers, where k may be any positive integer or real number.

D W2 /2 5 ~K/DE!2 DM2 1 ~KM/D2 E!2 DD2

1 ~KM/DE!2 DE2

A2.5.2 Propagation EquationApplying Eq A1.1 to Eq

A2.16 produces Eq A2.17.

where:
R
K
Xi
mi
q
q
P
i51

(A2.13)

= determination value,
= constant to change R from one set of units to
another,
= measurement value of the ith property,
= exponent of Xi (Note A2.1),
= number of properties measured, and
= operation of multiplying the q terms of the form
Ximi .

Dividing both sides of Eq A2.13 by the square of Eq A2.11,

W = (KM/DE)2, simplifies it to Eq A2.14, the specific measurement tolerance propagation equation.

DR2 /2 5 K2

( ~]Xi m
i51

/]Xi !2

q
P Xj mj
j51

DXi 2 /~Xi mi !2
(A2.17)

11

D 4356 84 (2002)

DR2 /2 5 K2

(
i51

q
P Xj mj
j51

~mi Xi 21 !2 DXi 2

2
q
P Xj mj
factors all cancel
j51
out, leaving only the (mi Xi1)2 factors.
A2.5.3 Tolerance TermsThe tolerance term form of Eq
A2.19 is Eq A2.20.

where:
Xi or Xj = one particular measurement.
Since the ]Ximi/]Xi all equal mi Ximi1, Eq A2.17 becomes Eq
A2.18.

because the K2 and the

(A2.18)

~DR/R!2 /2 5

( ~ mi D Xi /Xi !2
i51

r5

and dividing both sides of this equation by the square of Eq

2
q
mj
2
2
P
A2.16, R = K
, simplifies Eq A2.18 to Eq
Xj
i51
A2.19, the specific measurement tolerance propagation equation.

( xi
i51

(A2.20)

where:
r = (DR/R)2/2, the tolerance term for the determination
value, R, and
xi = (miDXi/Xi)2, the tolerance term for the measurement
value, Xi.

(A2.19)

COMBINATIONS OF SUMS AND PRODUCTS

A2.6 Specific Case
A2.6.1 Test Method EquationThe percent change in the
length of a yarn skein resulting from immersion in boiling
water is calculated using Eq A2.21.
P 5 100~A 2 B!/B

DP 2 /2 5 ~100/B! 2 DA 2 1 ~2100A/B 2 ! 2 DB 2

A2.6.3 Tolerance TermsThe tolerance term form of Eq

A2.23 is Eq A2.24.
r5a1b

(A2.21)

(A2.24)

where:
r = DP2/2, the tolerance term for the percent change, P,
a = (100/B)2DA2, the tolerance term for the after treatment
length A, and
b = (100A/B2)2DB2, the tolerance term for the before treatment length, B.

where:
P = percent change in skein length,
A = skein length after treatment, and
B = skein length before treatment.
A2.6.2 Propagation EquationBefore applying Eq A1.1A2.21, expand this equation to Eq A2.22 for ease in differentiating.
P 5 100A/B 2 100

(A2.23)

A2.7 General CaseThe possible combinations of sums

and products are too diverse to be represented by one general
equation and thus there is no general measurement tolerance
propagation equation for such combinations.

(A2.22)

Since ]P/]A = 100/B and ]P/]B = 100A/B2, applying Eq

A1.1-A2.22 produces Eq A2.23, the specific measurement
tolerance propagation equation.

OTHER TEST METHOD RELATIONSHIPS

A2.8 Propagation EquationsThe measurement tolerance
propagation equations for other relationships between determination values and measurement values can be derived by

anyone having a knowledge of algebra and differential calculus

plus a table of derivatives (6).

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D 4356 84 (2002)
REFERENCES
(1) Eisenhart, Churchill et. al., Techniques of Statistical Analysis,
McGraw-Hill Book Company Inc., New York, NY, 1947, pp. 195 and
218.
(2) Mandel, John, The Statistical Analysis of Experimental Data, Interscience Publishers, John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY, 1964.
(3) Cramr, Harald, Mathematical Methods of Statistics, Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, 1946, p. 246.
(4) Feller, William, An Introduction to Probability Theory and Its Appli-

cation, Vol. II, 2nd Ed, John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY, 1971.
(5) Eisenhart, Churchill, Realistic Evaluation of the Precision and Accuracy of Instrument Calibration Systems, Journal of Research of
National Bureau of Standards, Engineering and Instrumentation Vol.
67C, No. 2, AprilJune 1963, p. 180.
(6) Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, Chemical Rubber Publishing
Co., Cleveland, Ohio.

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