Question

Significant figures....

Answer 1

Answer:

the significant figure those digits in a measured quantities which are non-reliably or about which we have confidence in our measurements plus one additional digits that is uncertain....

Answer 2

The number of significant figures in a measurement, such as 2.531, is equal to the number of digits that are known with some degree of confidence (2, 5, and 3) plus the last digit (1), which is an estimate or approximation. As we improve the sensitivity of the equipment used to make a measurement, the number of significant figures increases.

• To determine the number of significant figures in a number use the following 3 rules:

 

Non-zero digits are always significant

Any zeros between two significant digits are significant

A final zero or trailing zeros in the decimal portion ONLY are significant

Example:  .500 or .632000 the zeros are significant

                .006  or .000968 the zeros are NOT significant

 

 

• For addition and subtraction use the following rules:

 

Count the number of significant figures in the decimal portion ONLY of each number in the problem

Add or subtract in the normal fashion

Your final answer may have no more significant figures to the right of the decimal than the LEAST number of significant figures in any number in the problem.

 

 

• For multiplication and division use the following rule:

 

The LEAST number of significant figures in any number of the problem determines the number of significant figures in the answer. (You are now looking at the entire number, not just the decimal portion)

*This means you have to be able to recognize significant figures in order to use this rule*

     Example: 5.26 has 3 significant figures

                     6.1 has 2 significant figures