Adding/Subtracting Sig Figs

Front

What are significant figures?

Back

Significant figures (sig figs) 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 adding and subtracting significant figures?

Back

When adding or subtracting, the result should be rounded to the least number of decimal places of any number in the operation.

Front

Example: 98.7°C - 97.25°C. How many decimal places should the answer have?

Back

The answer should have one decimal place, as 98.7°C has the least decimal places.

Front

What is the result of 98.7°C - 97.25°C?

Back

1.4°C.

Front

What is the rule for multiplying and dividing significant figures?

Back

When multiplying or dividing, the result should have the same number of significant figures as the measurement with the least significant figures.

Front

Example: 33 g - 2.1 g. How many significant figures should the answer have?

Back

The answer should have two significant figures, as 2.1 g has the least significant figures.

Front

What is the result of 33 g - 2.1 g?

Back

31 g.

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.

Front

Example: 1200 light years - 300 light years. How many significant figures should the answer have?

Back

The answer should have one significant figure, as 300 light years has the least significant figures.