Sig Fig Math

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 addition and subtraction with significant figures?

Back

The result should be rounded to the least number of decimal places of any number in the operation.

Front

What is the rule for multiplication and division with significant figures?

Back

The result should be rounded to the least number of significant figures of any number in the operation.

Front

Round 0.00456 to two significant figures.

Back

0.0046

Front

Round 1500 to two significant figures.

Back

1500 (but can also be expressed as 1.5 x 10^3 to indicate two significant figures).

Front

Calculate 12.11 + 0.3 and round to the correct number of significant figures.

Back

12.41, rounded to 12.4.

Front

Calculate 5.678 - 2.1 and round to the correct number of significant figures.

Back

3.578, rounded to 3.6.

Front

What is the result of 6.02 x 10^23 / 3.0 and how should it be rounded?

Back

2.0 x 10^23 (rounded to two significant figures).

Front

If you multiply 4.56 by 0.004, how many significant figures should your answer have?

Back

Your answer should have two significant figures.