Accuracy, Precision, Significant Figures

Front

What is the difference between accuracy and precision?

Back

Accuracy refers to how close a measured value is to the actual (true) value, while precision refers to how close the measured values are to each other.

Front

What does it mean if a set of measurements is precise but not accurate?

Back

It means that the measurements are consistent and close to each other, but they are not close to the actual value.

Front

What are significant figures?

Back

Significant figures are the digits in a number that contribute to its precision, including all non-zero digits, any zeros between significant digits, and trailing zeros in the decimal portion.

Front

Which zeros do not count as significant figures?

Back

Leading zeros do not count as significant figures.

Front

How many significant figures are in the number 0.00456?

Back

There are three significant figures in the number 0.00456.

Front

How do you determine the number of significant figures in a measurement?

Back

Count all non-zero digits, any zeros between significant digits, and trailing zeros in the decimal portion.

Front

What is an example of a measurement that is accurate but not precise?

Back

If a set of measurements is 7.1 cm, 7.2 cm, and 7.3 cm, but the actual length is 7.0 cm, the measurements are accurate but not precise.

Front

What is an example of a measurement that is precise but not accurate?

Back

If a set of measurements is 5.00 cm, 5.01 cm, and 5.02 cm, but the actual length is 7.0 cm, the measurements are precise but not accurate.

Front

What is the significance of trailing zeros in a number?

Back

Trailing zeros in a decimal number are significant because they indicate precision.

Front

How would you express the number 0.00250 in scientific notation?

Back

0.00250 can be expressed as 2.50 x 10^-3 in scientific notation.