Significant Figures and Rounding

Question 1

What are Significant Figures?

Answer 1

Each of the digits of a number that are used to express it to the required degree of accuracy, starting from the first nonzero digit.

Question 2

What are the rules for Significant Figures?

Answer 2

• Rule 1. Non-zero numbers are always significant.
• Rule 2. Zeros between non-zero numbers are always significant.
• Rule 3. All trailing or final zeros to the right of the decimal are significant.
• Rule 4. Placeholder zeros are not significant. (use scientific notation to eliminate confusion).

Question 3

What are the rules for Significant Figures?

Answer 3

• Rule 1. Non-zero numbers are always significant.
• Rule 2. Zeros between non-zero numbers are always significant.
• Rule 3. All trailing or final zeros to the right of the decimal are significant.
• Rule 4. Placeholder zeros are not significant. (use scientific notation to eliminate confusion).
• Rule 5. Counting numbers and constants are not considered in calculations as signifcant figures.

Question 4

How do you Round Numbers?

Answer 4

You decide what amount of Significant Figures you want and you Round accordingly.

Question 5

What are the Rules for Rounding Numbers?

Answer 5

If a number is 5 or more, it rounds up; and if it is 4 or less, it rounds down.

Question 6

What are the rules for Counting Significant Figures?

Answer 6

• Rule 1. Non-zero numbers are always significant.
• Rule 2. Zeros between non-zero numbers are always significant.
• Rule 3. All trailing or final zeros to the right of the decimal are significant.
• Rule 4. Placeholder zeros are not significant. (use scientific notation to eliminate confusion).
• Rule 5. Counting numbers and constants are not considered in calculations as significant figures.