Calculating with 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 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

Calculate and round: 10.0 - 4.0000

Back

6.0

Front

Calculate and round: 3.89 / 0.0010

Back

3900 (3 significant figures) or 3.9 x 10^3.

Front

Calculate and round: 100.0 + 2.556

Back

102.6

Front

Calculate and round: 50.0 - 25.0

Back

25.0

Front

Calculate and round: 85.63 - 75.32

Back

10.31

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.