Sig Fig Applications

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 determine the number of sig figs in a measurement?

Back

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

Front

What is the rule for addition and subtraction regarding sig figs?

Back

The result should have the same number of decimal places as the measurement with the least number of decimal places.

Front

What is the rule for multiplication and division regarding sig figs?

Back

The result should have the same number of significant figures as the measurement with the least number of significant figures.

Front

Example of addition with sig figs: 174 g + 173.6 g = ?

Back

Answer: 347.6 g (3 decimal places, based on 173.6 g).

Front

Example of multiplication with sig figs: 300. dm x 123.1 dm = ?

Back

Answer: 36,900 dm² (3 sig figs, based on 300. dm).

Front

Example of multiplication with sig figs: 5 cm x 5 cm = ?

Back

Answer: 30 cm² (2 sig figs, based on 5 cm).

Front

Example of division with sig figs: 16 km / 2 km = ?

Back

Answer: 8.0 km (2 sig figs, based on 16 km).

Front

What is the significance of trailing zeros in decimal numbers?

Back

Trailing zeros in a decimal number are significant because they indicate precision.

Front

What is the significance of leading zeros in numbers?

Back

Leading zeros are not significant; they only serve as placeholders.