Sig figs are the digits that were actually measured, and we pay close attention to them when rounding. When we estimate something using sig figs, we can estimate 1 digit past the calibration on the instrument.
Take the number: 0.004004500
0.004004500= this zero before the decimal is not significant
0.004004500= these zeroes directly after the decimal are not significant
0.004004500= this 4 is significant
0.004004500= these zeroes stuck in between two numbers are significant
0.004004500= these numbers are significant
0.004004500= these trailing zeroes are significant
The above example shows the rule to follow when determining which numbers are significant. Here is a useful website that I found that describes these rules more clearly: rules for finding significant numbers
Here are a few more examples:
123 = 3 sig figs
0.123= 3 sig figs
40.506= 5 sig figs
9,800. x 10^4= 4 sig figs
600.= 3 sig figs
4.5600= 5 sig figs
98000= 2 sig figs
The last thing we learned about dealing with significant figures was how to add/subtract and multiply/divide with them. Here is a great website that explains how to do this: adding/subtracting and multiplying/dividing sig figs
Carly, your posts are always so great and have so many different things that I can use for my own studying. Thank you so much for not only explaining the topic yourself and including your own examples, but also having links to other sites. I can then use these for more practice. This is, without a doubt, the best blog post I have seen yet, keep it up!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with Kendall. I absolutely love how you included your own examples and explained each in depth. It seems like you put a lot of time into your posts to benefit yourself as well as all of us who are confused about topics like this. I also like how you included your own sources that look like they contain really good information. All in all, keep up the good work, and this is a fantastic post!!
ReplyDeleteCarly, this post was exactly what i needed before the test, thank you! You provided explanations in depth, and not only that, but walked though an example too. By doing this, I will be able to look at problems and execute them in the way that you showed on here. I also enjoyed that you included a link on the more challenging material of the adding and subtracting. I will be sure to reference your blog in the future when I need help!
ReplyDeleteI really found this detailed post useful in my studying, Carly! I, like Holly, Avery, and Kendall really deepened my understanding of significant figures after reading your post. I appreciate the time you took to make the examples and explanations because I especially struggled with this topic. I felt so much more prepared going into the test after i studied all of your insights and explanations over this difficult topic! Your blog is a great help to me and I really appreciate your hard work.
ReplyDeleteCarly, your posts are always so great! I love the links you included, and your explanation of the topic was easy to follow yet still very informative. Excellent job.
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