Significant Figures

Significant Figures

Lets practice with some numbers

Multiple Choice

How many sig figs are in the number 12?

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Multiple Choice

How many sig figs are in the number 546?

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Multiple Choice

How many sig figs are in the number 0.00546?

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Significant zeros

You should have noticed that the zeros in the previous question were not significant. Why? The answer lies in the reason they are written. They are only there as placeholders. Therefor, leading zeros are never significant. Lets try a few more.

Multiple Choice

How many sig figs are in the number 0.01?

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Multiple Choice

How many sig figs are in the number 0.001?

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Multiple Choice

How many sig figs are in the number 0.00000001?

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Leading zeros

It doesn't matter how many zeros I have in front of the number. They will never be counted as significant. What about zeros between non-zeros?

Multiple Choice

How many sig figs are in the number 2002?

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Embedded or captured zeros

These zeros will always count toward your significant figure tally.

Multiple Choice

How many sig figs are in the number 403?

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Multiple Choice

How many sig figs are in the number 3000005?

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Trailing zeros

These zeros are the most challenging to count as they sometimes do and sometimes don't. The rule is, if there is a decimal point in the number, the trailing zeros count. Lets practice with some of these.

Multiple Choice

How many sig figs are in the number 100?

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Multiple Choice

How many sig figs are in the number 100.0?

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Trailing zeros

See what happened when I added the decimal? You went from 1 sig fig in the number 100, to 4 sig figs in the number 100.0 The decimal place is more than a placeholder. It lets the reader know that the number has that level of precision. Here are a few more practice problems using all of the rules.

Multiple Choice

How many sig figs are in the number 4002?

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Multiple Choice

How many sig figs are in the number 4200?

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Multiple Choice

How many sig figs are in the number 0.0004200?

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