significant figures

Front

What are significant figures?

Back

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

Front

How many significant figures are in the number 0.0069?

Back

2 sigfigs

Front

How many significant figures are in the number 438000?

Back

3 sigfigs

Front

How many significant figures are in the number 0.002040?

Back

4 sigfigs

Front

How many significant figures are in the number 0.998005?

Back

6 sigfigs

Front

What is the rule for counting significant figures in a number with leading zeros?

Back

Leading zeros are not counted as significant figures.

Front

What is the rule for counting significant figures in a number with trailing zeros?

Back

Trailing zeros in a decimal number are counted as significant figures.

Front

When performing multiplication or division, how do you determine the number of significant figures in the result?

Back

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

Front

When performing addition or subtraction, how do you determine the number of significant figures in the result?

Back

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

Front

What is the proper way to report the calculation 17.34 / 3.45?

Back

5.03 because the 3.45 has the fewest sigfigs.