Significant Figures

Question 1

What are numbers/measurements that are written so that the last digit represents uncertainty/digits that show how precise the measurement can be?

Answer 1

Significant figures

Question 2

Is a number that is not zero a significant figure (ex: 221)?

Answer 2

Yes, it’s significant

Question 3

Is a captive zero (a zero sandwiched between two numbers) a significant figure (ex: 5606)?

Answer 3

Yes, it is significant

Question 4

Is a zero that is non-captive (a zero that is NOT sandwiched between two significant figures) a significant figure?

Answer 4

Yes (has to be trailing/right of the decimal)

Question 5

Can a zero that is trailing(is non-captive)/right of the decimal (ex: 32.160)?

Answer 5

Yes, it is significant

Question 6

Is a zero that is trailing (non-captive)/ left of the decimal a significant figure (ex: 500)?

Answer 6

Maybe (depending on how it’s written)

Question 7

Is a zero that is leading (non-captive) a significant figure (ex: 0.055/075)?

Answer 7

No, it is not significant