Sig Figs and Rounding

Front

What are significant figures (sig figs)?

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 do you express a number in scientific notation?

Back

To express a number in scientific notation, write it as a product of a number between 1 and 10 and a power of 10. For example, 0.0080 is expressed as 8.0 x 10^-3.

Front

What is the rule for rounding when adding numbers?

Back

When adding numbers, round the result to the least number of decimal places of any number in the operation.

Front

What is the rule for rounding when subtracting numbers?

Back

When subtracting numbers, round the result to the least number of decimal places of any number in the operation.

Front

How do you determine the number of significant figures in a measurement?

Back

Count all non-zero digits, any zeros between significant digits, and trailing zeros in the decimal portion. Leading zeros are not counted.

Front

What is the result of 6.10 m + 1.200 m?

Back

7.30 m (rounded to the least number of decimal places, which is two decimal places).

Front

What is the result of 25 g - 2.005 g?

Back

23 g (rounded to the least number of decimal places, which is a whole number).

Front

What is the area of a rectangle with dimensions 5 m x 5 m?

Back

25 m² (meters squared).

Front

What is the result of 2 m + 3 m?

Back

5 m (the result is in meters, not squared).

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.