False positives and false negatives facts for kids

False positives and false negatives are terms used when we talk about tests. Sometimes, a test result might not show the real situation. It's like when you try to find something, but the result you get is not quite right.

A false positive happens when a test says something is true or present, but it actually isn't. Imagine a metal detector beeping because it thinks there's treasure, but it's just a bottle cap. That's a false positive. The test said "yes, it's here," but it was wrong.

A false negative is the opposite. It happens when a test says something is not true or not present, but it actually is. Think of the metal detector again. If it passes over a real gold coin but doesn't beep, that's a false negative. The test said "no, it's not here," but it was wrong.

What Are False Positives and Negatives?

When we do any kind of test, there's always a chance the result isn't perfectly accurate. This can happen in many areas, from science experiments to everyday checks. Understanding false positives and negatives helps us know how reliable a test is.

Understanding a False Positive

A false positive means a test incorrectly shows a condition or item is present. The test gives a "positive" result, meaning it found what it was looking for. However, this positive result is actually wrong. The condition or item is not there in reality. It's a mistake where the test says "yes" when the answer should be "no."

Understanding a False Negative

A false negative means a test incorrectly shows a condition or item is not present. The test gives a "negative" result, meaning it did not find what it was looking for. But this negative result is also wrong. The condition or item is actually there. It's a mistake where the test says "no" when the answer should be "yes."

Related Ideas

• Type I and type II errors are similar ideas. They describe these kinds of mistakes when they happen in statistical tests.

See also

In Spanish: Falso positivo y falso negativo para niños