Transposition Error

Business, Legal & Accounting Glossary

Definition: Transposition Error


Transposition Error

Quick Summary of Transposition Error


Where the characters within a number are entered in the wrong sequence.




What is the dictionary definition of Transposition Error?

Dictionary Definition


transposition error is a simple error of data entry that occurs when two digits that are either individual or part of a larger sequence of numbers are accidentally reversed (transposed) when posting a transaction.


Full Definition of Transposition Error


A transposition error occurs when an amount is recorded incorrectly as the result of switching the positions of two (or more) digits.

The switching of the positions causes a difference (between the recorded amount and the correct amount) that will be evenly divisible by 9.

Since the resulting error is always divisible by 9, accountants can use this fact to quickly locate and correct the mis-entered number.


Examples of Transposition Error in a sentence


The audit stated it was actually 355 permits that were revoked and said the number was misstated because of a transposition error.

Because of a transposition error, the original version of this document gave incorrect figures for the game.

In 1992, 96 people on-board Air Inter Flight 148 died when it crashed into a mountain due to a transposition error.


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Transposition Error. PayrollHeaven.com. Payroll & Accounting Heaven Ltd.
March 29, 2024 https://payrollheaven.com/define/transposition-error/.
Chicago Manual of Style (CMS):
Transposition Error. PayrollHeaven.com. Payroll & Accounting Heaven Ltd.
https://payrollheaven.com/define/transposition-error/ (accessed: March 29, 2024).
American Psychological Association (APA):
Transposition Error. PayrollHeaven.com. Retrieved March 29, 2024
, from PayrollHeaven.com website: https://payrollheaven.com/define/transposition-error/

Definition Sources


Definitions for Transposition Error are sourced/syndicated and enhanced from:

  • A Dictionary of Economics (Oxford Quick Reference)
  • Oxford Dictionary Of Accounting
  • Oxford Dictionary Of Business & Management

This glossary post was last updated: 11th August, 2022 | 0 Views.