Significant Digits

Front

What are significant digits?

Back

Significant digits (or 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 many significant digits are in the number 40?

Back

1 significant digit.

Front

How many significant digits are in the number 2014?

Back

4 significant digits.

Front

How many significant digits are in the number 0.045?

Back

2 significant digits.

Front

How many significant digits are in the number 270?

Back

2 significant digits (if no decimal point is present).

Front

How many significant digits are in the number 6.007?

Back

4 significant digits.

Front

What is the rule for counting significant digits in a decimal number?

Back

In a decimal number, all digits after the first non-zero digit are significant.

Front

What is the rule for counting significant digits in whole numbers?

Back

In whole numbers without a decimal point, trailing zeros are not significant.

Front

What is the significance of significant digits in measurements?

Back

Significant digits indicate the precision of a measurement and help convey the uncertainty in the value.

Front

How do you determine the number of significant digits in a measurement like 0.00450?

Back

There are 3 significant digits: 4, 5, and the trailing 0 after the decimal.