(N/A) The smallest value that can be measured by a measuring instrument is called its least count.
- All readings or measured values are accurate only up to this value.
- The error associated with the resolution of the instrument is called the least count error.
- The least count of a vernier caliper is $0.01 \text{ cm}$,and the least count of a spherometer is $0.001 \text{ cm}$.
- Least count error belongs to the category of random errors but is limited in size.
- It can occur alongside both systematic and random errors.
- The least count of a standard meter scale is $1 \text{ mm}$.
- Least count error can be reduced by using instruments of higher precision and by improving experimental techniques.
- By repeating the observation several times and taking the arithmetic mean of all observations,the mean value becomes very close to the true value of the measured quantity.