Significant Figures FLASHCARD Review

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 round a number to one significant figure?

Back

To round a number to one significant figure, identify the first non-zero digit and round it based on the digit immediately following it. If that digit is 5 or greater, increase the first digit by one.

Front

What is the rule for addition and subtraction with significant figures?

Back

When adding or subtracting, the result should be reported to the least number of decimal places of any number in the operation.

Front

What is the rule for multiplication and division with significant figures?

Back

When multiplying or dividing, the result should have the same number of significant figures as the number with the least significant figures in the operation.

Front

How do you express 0.0005 in scientific notation?

Back

0.0005 can be expressed as 5 x 10^-4 in scientific notation.

Front

What is the result of 78.5 rounded to one significant figure?

Back

80

Front

Calculate and report 9544 lbs - 321 lbs to the correct number of significant figures.

Back

9223 lbs

Front

Calculate 12.47 m ÷ 3.2 s and give your answer with the correct number of significant figures.

Back

3.9 m/s

Front

Calculate 1.23 m x 0.89 m and give your answer with the correct number of significant figures.

Back

1.1 m²

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.