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Science and Technology
Significant Figures

Significant Figures

Concept sheet | Science and Technology

This concept sheet explains the difference between measurements and exact numbers. It also covers how to write a measurement or the result of a calculation while taking significant figures into account.

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Exact numbers have an infinite number of significant figures. Examples include values obtained by counting, conversion factors, fractions or integers in a mathematical formula, stoichiometric coefficients, or fundamental constants of the International System of Units. Measurements have a limited number of significant figures. Examples include values measured by an instrument, values calculated from other measurements, and rounded values.
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Zeros at the beginning of a number are not significant. The first non-zero digit and all the digits that follow significant. The zeros at the end of an integer may or may not be significant.
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In an addition or subtraction problem, The last significant figure in the result must be in the same position as the last significant figure that has the largest position in the calculation. When multiplying or dividing, the result must have the same number of significant figures as the value with the fewest significant figures.
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Table of contents

Significant Figures in 8 Minutes

Significant Figures

Significant Figures

Moments in the video :

  • 00:00-Measurements and Exact Numbers
  • 02:11-Counting the Number of Significant Figures
  • 03:56-Adjusting a Measurement: Rounding Numbers
  • 04:49-Adjusting a Measurement: Scientific Notation
  • 05:38-Addition and Subtraction
  • 06:52-Multiplication and Division

In Short

What is a Significant Figure?

When talking about the concept of precision, we refer to two types of numbers: exact numbers and measurements.

Exact numbers have an infinite number of significant figures. Examples include values obtained by counting, conversion factors, fractions or integers in a mathematical formula, stoichiometric coefficients, or fundamental constants of the International System of Units. Measurements have a limited number of significant figures. Examples include values measured by an instrument, values calculated from other measurements, and rounded values.
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Definition

Significant figures (sig figs) are digits that provide information about the precision of a number.

How Do You Count the Number of Significant Figures (Sig Figs)?

Zeros at the beginning of a number are not significant. The first non-zero digit and all the digits that follow significant. The zeros at the end of an integer may or may not be significant.
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Watch out! The zeros at the end of an integer may or may not be significant.

How Do You Use Significant Figures in a Scientific Calculation?

In an addition or subtraction problem, The last significant figure in the result must be in the same position as the last significant figure that has the largest position in the calculation. When multiplying or dividing, the result must have the same number of significant figures as the value with the fewest significant figures.
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Practise!

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