Significant Figures (Intro)

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 146.00 cm³?

Back

5

Front

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

Back

Trailing zeros in a number without a decimal point are not significant. However, trailing zeros in a number with a decimal point are significant.

Front

Round the number 0.003406 g to 3 significant figures.

Back

0.00341

Front

How many significant figures are in the number 40000 g?

Back

1 (unless specified with a decimal point, e.g., 40000. which would have 5 significant figures).

Front

How many significant figures are in the number 2500 cm?

Back

2 (unless specified with a decimal point, e.g., 2500. which would have 4 significant figures).

Front

How many significant figures are in the number 40.310 g?

Back

5

Front

What is the significance of zeros in the middle of a number?

Back

Zeros between non-zero digits are always significant.

Front

What is the significance of leading zeros in a number?

Back

Leading zeros (zeros before the first non-zero digit) are not significant.

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 the decimal portion.