Understanding Significant Figures

What do significant figures represent in scientific measurements?

• Digits that contribute to the precision of a measurement

• Only the non-zero digits in a number

• The total number of digits in a measurement

• Only the digits after the decimal point

Which of the following is NOT considered a significant figure?

• Non-zero digits

• Leading zeros

• Zeros between significant digits

• Trailing zeros in a decimal number

How should the result of a multiplication or division operation be expressed in terms of significant figures?

• With the same number of significant figures as the measurement with the fewest significant figures

• With the same number of significant figures as the measurement with the most significant figures

• With one more significant figure than the measurement with the fewest significant figures

• With one less significant figure than the measurement with the most significant figures

Why are significant figures important in scientific research?

• They prevent the overstatement of precision

• They increase the number of digits in a measurement

• They allow for more complex calculations

• They eliminate the need for rounding

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-7

What is the rule for determining significant figures in addition and subtraction?

• Round the result to the least precise decimal place

• Round the result to the most precise decimal place

• Use the same number of significant figures as the measurement with the fewest significant figures

• Use the same number of significant figures as the measurement with the most significant figures