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

What is the significance of significant figures in measurements?

Back

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

Front

How many significant figures are in the number 0.00456?

Back

3 significant figures (4, 5, and 6). Leading zeros are not counted.

Front

How many significant figures are in the number 100.0?

Back

4 significant figures (1, 0, 0, and the trailing 0 after the decimal point).

Front

How many significant figures are in the number 5000?

Back

1 significant figure (the leading zeros are not counted unless specified with a decimal point).

Front

What is the rule for zeros in significant figures?

Back

Leading zeros are not significant. Zeros between significant digits are significant. Trailing zeros in a decimal number are significant.

Front

How many significant figures are in the number 0.6000?

Back

4 significant figures (6, 0, 0, and the trailing 0).

Front

Which of the following has three significant figures: 1014, 101, or 1000?

Back

101 (the other numbers have more than three significant figures).

Front

How many significant figures are in the number 4004?

Back

4 significant figures (4, 0, 0, and 4).