Mastering 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 do you determine the number of significant figures in a number?

Back

Count all non-zero digits, any zeros between them, and trailing zeros in a decimal number. Leading zeros are not counted.

Front

What is the significance of significant figures in calculations?

Back

Significant figures indicate the precision of measurements and calculations, ensuring that results are not presented with more certainty than the data allows.

Front

Calculate: 16.45 - 1.234 - 0.664

Back

15.15 (rounded to 3 significant figures based on the least precise measurement).

Front

How many significant figures are in the value 16.700?

Back

5 significant figures.

Front

How many significant figures are in the value 10006.700?

Back

8 significant figures.

Front

Calculate: 15.0 x 3.2008 x 3.22

Back

154.6 (rounded to 3 significant figures based on the least precise measurement).

Front

How many significant figures are in the value 0.0000004?

Back

1 significant figure.

Front

What is the rule for adding and subtracting significant figures?

Back

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

Front

What is the rule for multiplying and dividing significant figures?

Back

The result should be rounded to the least number of significant figures of any number in the operation.