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 part.

Front

How do you determine the number of Significant Figures in a whole number?

Back

For whole numbers, all non-zero digits are significant. Leading zeros are not significant, while trailing zeros are significant only if there is a decimal point.

Front

How many Significant Figures are in the number 0.0045?

Back

2 (the digits 4 and 5 are significant; the leading zeros are not).

Front

What is the rule for rounding to Significant Figures?

Back

When rounding to a certain number of significant figures, if the digit to the right is 5 or more, round up. If it is less than 5, round down.

Front

Round 0.00678 to 2 significant figures.

Back

0.0068.

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. For example, 2.300 has four significant figures.

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).

Front

What is 0.00789 rounded to 1 significant figure?

Back

0.008.

Front

How do you express 1500 in scientific notation with 2 significant figures?

Back

1.5 x 10^3.

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.