CK-12 1.8 Significant Figures

Multiple Choice

What does the term 'significant figures' refer to in scientific measurements?

• Digits considered reliable in a measurement

• All digits in a number, regardless of accuracy

• Only the digits before the decimal point

• The largest digit in a measurement

Open Ended

Why is it important to use the correct number of significant figures when reporting measurements in science?

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes significant figures in a measurement?

• The number of digits thought correct in a measurement, including all directly measured digits and one estimated digit.

• Only the digits before the decimal point in a measurement.

• All digits in a measurement, regardless of certainty.

• Only the digits after the decimal point in a measurement.

Multiple Choice

Based on the examples provided, what is the difference between the significant figures in a beaker reading of 43 mL and a graduated cylinder reading of 36.5 mL?

• The beaker reading has 2 significant figures, while the graduated cylinder reading has 3 significant figures.

• Both readings have the same number of significant figures.

• The beaker reading has 3 significant figures, while the graduated cylinder reading has 2 significant figures.

• The graduated cylinder reading has only 1 significant figure.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following numbers has exactly 4 significant figures?

• 106.1

• 006.1

• 470,000

• 4.00

Multiple Choice

According to the rules for rounding, what should you do if the digit to be dropped is 5 and the previous digit is even?

• Round down

• Round up

• Always round up

• Always round down

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements best explains why calculations cannot exceed the least precise measurement when working with significant figures?

• Because the least precise measurement limits the certainty of the result.

• Because all measurements are equally precise.

• Because rounding is not necessary in calculations.

• Because significant figures are not important in calculations.

Open Ended

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

Multiple Choice

Why was Jerod's answer for the area calculation marked wrong?

• He used the wrong formula.

• He did not show his work.

• He used too many significant figures.

• He used the wrong units.