significant figures and calculations

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 many significant figures are in the number 0.00456?

Back

Three significant figures (4, 5, and 6). The leading zeros are not counted.

Front

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

Back

The result should be reported to the same number of decimal places as the measurement with the fewest decimal places.

Front

Calculate 12.11 + 0.3 and give your answer with the appropriate number of significant figures.

Back

12.41 (rounded to 12.4 due to the 0.3 having one decimal place).

Front

What is the rule for determining significant figures in multiplication and division?

Back

The result should have the same number of significant figures as the measurement with the fewest significant figures.

Front

Calculate 4.56 x 1.4 and give your answer with the appropriate number of significant figures.

Back

6.384 (rounded to 6.4 due to 1.4 having two significant figures).

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. For example, 2.300 has four significant figures.

Front

How many significant figures are in the measurement 1000?

Back

It depends on the context. If no decimal point is shown, it has one significant figure. If written as 1000., it has four significant figures.

Front

Calculate 345.009 g - 23.009 g and give your answer with the appropriate number of significant figures.

Back

322.000 g (the answer is reported to the same decimal place as the least precise measurement).

Front

Calculate 5.50 cm + 5.50 cm and give your answer with the appropriate number of significant figures.

Back

11.00 cm (the answer is reported to the same decimal place as the least precise measurement).