Rounding Significant Figures

Front

What are significant figures?

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 determine the number of significant figures in a number?

Back

Count all non-zero digits, any zeros between them, and trailing zeros in a decimal number. Leading zeros are not counted.

Front

Round 0.00258954 to 4 significant figures.

Back

0.002590

Front

Round 1099 to three significant figures.

Back

1.10 x 10^3

Front

What is 78.5 rounded to one significant figure?

Back

80

Front

Round 509.96 to 4 significant figures.

Back

510.0

Front

Round 7256.320004 to 8 significant figures.

Back

7256.3200

Front

What is the rule for rounding numbers?

Back

If the digit to the right of the last significant figure is 5 or greater, round up. If it is less than 5, round down.

Front

How do you express a number in scientific notation?

Back

Move the decimal point to create a number between 1 and 10, then multiply by 10 raised to the number of places the decimal was moved.

Front

What is the significance of trailing zeros in decimal numbers?

Back

Trailing zeros in decimal numbers are significant because they indicate precision.