The length of a solar car race track is supposed to be 4.8 meters.

Unfortunately, the carpenter made it 4.2 meter. What is the percent error?

-12.5%

Step-by-step explanation:

A percentage change is computed using ...

percent change = ((new amount) - (original amount)) / (original amount) * 100%

We want to find the percentage change from 4.8 m, so we have ...

percent change = (4.2 - 4.8) / 4.8 * 100% = -.6/4.8*100% = - 12.5%

The carpenter made the track 12.5% too short.