Significant Figures in Calculations

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 measurement?

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 rule for addition and subtraction regarding significant figures?

Back

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

Front

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

Back

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

Front

Calculate 345.009 g - 23.009 g and give your answer with the appropriate number of significant figures.

Back

322.000 g

Front

Calculate 7.987 m - 0.54 m and give your answer with the appropriate number of significant figures.

Back

7.45 m

Front

Calculate 12.34 + 1.234 + 0.1234 and give your answer with the appropriate number of significant figures.

Back

13.70

Front

Calculate 5.50 cm + 5.50 cm and give your answer with the appropriate number of significant figures.

Back

11.00 cm

Front

Calculate 340.123 - 63.02 and give your answer with the appropriate number of significant figures.

Back

277.10

Front

What is the significance of trailing zeros in a decimal number?

Back

Trailing zeros in a decimal number are significant because they indicate precision in the measurement.