Significant Figures

Front

What are significant figures?

Back

Significant figures are the digits in a number that contribute to its precision, including all non-zero digits, any zeros between significant digits, and trailing zeros in the decimal portion.

Front

How do you determine the number of significant figures in a whole number?

Back

For whole numbers, all non-zero digits are significant. Any zeros at the end of the number are significant only if there is a decimal point.

Front

How do you determine the number of significant figures in a decimal number?

Back

In decimal numbers, all non-zero digits are significant, and any zeros to the right of a decimal point and after a non-zero digit are also significant.

Front

How many significant figures are in the number 9009.00?

Back

6 significant figures.

Front

How many significant figures are in the number 0.000008?

Back

1 significant figure.

Front

How many significant figures are in the number 5.00000008?

Back

9 significant figures.

Front

How many significant figures are in the number 0.00400?

Back

3 significant figures.

Front

What is the rule for significant figures in multiplication and division?

Back

The result should have the same number of significant figures as the measurement with the least number of significant figures.

Front

What is the rule for significant figures in addition and subtraction?

Back

The result should be reported to the least number of decimal places of any number in the operation.

Front

Calculate 12.47 m ÷ 3.2 s and give your answer with the correct number of significant figures.

Back

3.9 m/s.