Significant Digits in Calculations

Mr. Anderson explains significant digits, also known as significant figures or sigfigs, and their importance in scientific measurements. He covers the concepts of accuracy and precision, demonstrating how they relate to significant digits. The video also explains how to measure using significant digits, the types of significant digits, and the rules for performing calculations with them. Examples are provided throughout to illustrate these concepts, and the video concludes with a practice problem to reinforce learning.

What is the difference between accuracy and precision?

• Accuracy is about closeness to the true value, precision is about repeatability.

• Accuracy and precision both refer to closeness to the true value.

• Accuracy and precision both refer to repeatability.

• Accuracy is about repeatability, precision is about closeness to the true value.

How many significant digits are in the number 32.6?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Which of the following numbers has four significant digits?

• 209

• 2.0

• 0.00006

• 12.48

In the number 12.09, how many significant digits are there?

• 5

• 4

• 3

• 2

How is the number 3800000 written in scientific notation?

• 3.8 * 10^5

• 3.8 * 10^6

• 3.8 * 10^8

• 3.8 * 10^7

Which of the following zeros is not significant?

• Final zeros after the decimal place

• Sandwiched zeros

• Leading zeros in a decimal number

• All zeros are significant

When multiplying 26.4 by 120, how many significant digits should the answer have?

• 2

• 1

• 4

• 3

What is the correct answer for 19 divided by 3 with the appropriate number of significant digits?

• 7

• 6.3

• 6

• 6.33

In addition and subtraction, the number of decimal places in the answer should be equal to:

• The most number of decimal places in any of the numbers being added or subtracted

• The least number of decimal places in any of the numbers being added or subtracted

• The average number of decimal places in the numbers being added or subtracted

• None of the above

What is the correct answer for 13 plus 1.6 with the appropriate number of decimal places?

• 14.6

• 13.6

• 14

• 15