A note on the relationship between the precision of classical methods of rock analysis and the concentration of each constituent

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Abstract
A Granite (G-1) from Westerley, Rhode Island, and a diabase (W-1) from Centerville, Virginia, were recently analysed by some 34 analysts in different countries for the purpose of obtaining thoroughly reliable rock standards for spectrochemical analysis. Most determinations were made by so-called classical methods of chemical analysis. The results of the investigation have been discussed by Fairbairn and others. Fairbairn examined the results statistically and, using the relative deviation (standard deviation expressed as a percentage) as a measure of precision, concluded that precision deteriorated with a decrease in the concentration of a constituent. In the present paper this general observation will be demonstrated quantitatively by means of a graphical presentation, thus providing the petrologist with a guide for rapidly assessing and comparing the precision of classical methods of chemical analysis over considerable concentration ranges.

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