Wednesday, June 20, 2012

What are significant figures?

Significant figures are important or interesting figures. The first non – zero digit of the number is the significant figure of that number. Significant figures examples are as follows: -
Number 34,566 has five significant figures and the first significant figure is 3 and the second significant figure is 4.
Number 0.0005487 has four significant figures and the first significant figure is 5 and the second significant figure is 4.
Number 3000 has one significant figure and that is 1.
Number 1500.00 has six significant figures and the first significant figure is 1 and the second significant figure is 5.
Number 350. Has three significant figures and 3 is the first significant figure and 5 is the second significant figure.
Number 350 has two significant figures and 3 is the first significant figure and 5 is the second significant figure.
Rules for Significant figures
Following are the significant figure rules: -
1. Zeros in between a number are always significant. For example, both 3406 and  30.07 have four significant figures
2. Zeros that only set the decimal points are not significant. For example, 36000 have only two significant figures.
3. Zeros that are not needed to hold the decimal point are significant. For example, 36.00 have four significant figures.
Properties of Significant figures
Addition and Subtraction with Significant figures: When significant figures are added or subtracted, the answer can contain no more decimal places than the least accurate measurement.
For example: -
140.0 + 0.608 = 140.6
Multiplication and Division of Significant figures: When significant figures are multiplied or divided, the answer can contain no more decimal places than the least accurate measurement.
For example: -
3.531/ 553.6 = 0.006378
Rounding off Significant figures: When any solutions contain so many significant figures, it can be rounded off.

For example: -
If digit is smaller than 5 then the digit remains unchanged, such as 2.43 can be rounded off to 2.4
If the digit is greater than 5 or then we should drop that digit and add one to the preceding digit, such as 2.47 can be rounded off to 2.5

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