Significant figures and Measurements

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

Why are significant figures important in measurements?

Back

Significant figures indicate the precision of a measurement and help communicate the uncertainty in the data.

Front

What is the difference between accuracy and precision?

Back

Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true value, while precision refers to how consistent repeated measurements are.

Front

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

Back

Count all non-zero digits, any zeros between significant digits, and trailing zeros in the decimal portion. Leading zeros are not counted.

Front

What is the rule for rounding to significant figures?

Back

If the digit to be dropped is less than 5, round down. If it is 5 or greater, round up.

Front

How do you add or subtract numbers with significant figures?

Back

The result should be reported with the same number of decimal places as the measurement with the least decimal places.

Front

How do you multiply or divide numbers with significant figures?

Back

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

Front

What is the volume of liquid in a graduated cylinder that reads 43.0 mL?

Back

The volume is 43.0 mL, which indicates that the measurement is precise to one decimal place.

Front

Round the number 1009 to three significant figures.

Back

The rounded number is 1010.

Front

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

Back

The answer is 7.45 m.