False positive
A false positive is a result that indicates a condition when that condition is absent. In a filter, for example, it occurs when a legitimate message is classified as spam
What it means, how it is used and where it comes up, with its related concepts.
What it is and how it works
The cost of the error depends on the task and its consequences. It is not always more or less serious than a false negative. Choosing a threshold requires weighing both types of error and the options for review, rather than maximising a single figure without considering who is affected.
Topics