- #1
Derrick Palmiter
- 14
- 1
Hello, all. Quick question about how to apply sig figs in percent error problems. Eg. If the actual/target value is 1.95 g and we measure 1.87 g, then should the percent error of our measurement be reported as 4.10% or 4%? Normally, at least abstracting from the problem, after subtracting 1.95 from 1.87 for a difference of -0.08, the zeros would not be considered significant and we would consider this result to have one significant digit, but really, we have certainty about those zeros as values, correct? (So, I'm leaning towards saying three sig figs for the purpose of the subsequent division problem by 1.95. -0.08/1.95 = -4.10% and not -0.08/1.95 = -4%.) Does this seem like an appropriate interpretation of the situation to any of you, or am I forgetting something?
I know the rule technically says to count "placeholding" zeros as non-significant, but here it seems to me they are reporting data about the measurements used in the initial calculation, not just placeholding. Many thanks in advance for your help.
I know the rule technically says to count "placeholding" zeros as non-significant, but here it seems to me they are reporting data about the measurements used in the initial calculation, not just placeholding. Many thanks in advance for your help.