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 significant digits, and trailing zeros in a decimal number. Leading zeros are not counted.

Front

Round 1047.78 to three significant figures.

Back

1050

Front

How many significant figures are in the number 0.456?

Back

3

Front

How many significant figures does the number 0.002040 have?

Back

4

Front

How many significant figures does the number 56.040 have?

Back

5

Front

Round 0.010229 to four significant figures.

Back

0.01023

Front

What is the rule for rounding numbers when the digit to be dropped is 5?

Back

If the digit to be dropped is 5, round up if the preceding digit is odd, and leave it unchanged if it is even.

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

How many significant figures are in the number 1000?

Back

1 (unless specified with a decimal point, e.g., 1000. has 4 significant figures).