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

How many significant figures are in the number 1000 mL?

Back

1 significant figure (the trailing zeros are not counted as significant without a decimal point).

Front

How many significant figures are in the number 0.010 L?

Back

2 significant figures (the leading zeros are not counted).

Front

How many significant figures are in the number 153.0 mL?

Back

4 significant figures (the trailing zero after the decimal is counted).

Front

How many significant figures are in the number 0.012 km?

Back

2 significant figures (the leading zeros are not counted).

Front

How many significant figures are in the number 2016 m?

Back

4 significant figures (all digits are significant).

Front

What is the significance of significant figures in scientific measurements?

Back

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

Front

What is the rule for adding and subtracting numbers 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 multiplying and dividing numbers with significant figures?

Back

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