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

Front

Calculate 12.47 m ÷ 3.2 s and give your answer with the correct number of significant figures.

Back

3.9 m/s

Front

How many significant figures are in the number 4000?

Back

4

Front

How many significant figures does the number 0.998005 have?

Back

6

Front

How many significant figures are in the number 5.00000008?

Back

9

Front

How many significant figures does the number 0.002040 have?

Back

4

Front

What is the rule for addition and subtraction regarding significant figures?

Back

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

Front

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

Back

The result should have the same number of significant figures as the measurement with the least number of significant figures.

Front

Are trailing zeros in a whole number significant?

Back

Trailing zeros in a whole number without a decimal point are not considered significant.