Significant figures Definition and 153 Threads

(i) and (ii) makes sense to me but the answer key says (iv) is correct too, but shouldn't the answer be 2 significant figures for (iv). 2 and the first zero are significant if the lc is 100 kg as far as I understand

TL;DR Summary: I have a Force Table Lab and am not sure if the "percent error" is the correct way to express errors. I also need some help on sig figs for my results. Hello, I am working with the usual undergrad force tables apparatus. I would like to know how to express the results of...

I am not sure how to approach this problem. I know that there really is no use taking time values accurate up to the sixth decimal place if my length values are accurate only to the first decimal place, after all errors should be comparable. So I wanted to know how I should quote my time values...

For this problem, The solution is, ## Q = 54500 J ## , however, since the calculation for heat uses the first law which involves ##5 \times 10^{-3) m^3 ## value for the initial volume, should the finial answer not be to 1 sig fig as well? This would give ## 60000 J ##. Many thanks!

I keep running into the issue of getting a different number of significant figures in my solutions than the official answers at the back of the book, so I'm wondering if I'm missing something or if the book is occasionally sloppy about significant figures. In Unit 1, the book states (p.8.)...

Good morning, I've completed the problem provided above and have verified my answers are correct, but I'm running into a strange situation when it comes to the solution's answer for the kinetic energy portion. For the kinetic energy imparted to the planet, we're taking 20,000 kg * 9.8 m/s² *...

This is the solution from the book. But I only get 0,037 A. What am I doing wrong?

I am using these rules to determine number of significant digits. (1) All trailing zeros following decimal are significant (2) All trailing zeros in a number without decimal point are not significant (3) All non-zero digits are significant It seems rule 2 will not apply here and therefore number...

In general I think I follow significant figures. On one and two step problems I don't really have such a problem but I seem to constantly miss points because I get lost in complicated ones. I'm hoping I can understand more as getting into science means getting friendly with these. Let's suppose...

What are the number of significant figures of 225.0? I think it is 4, but the solution says it's 3. Also, is the significant figures of molar volume at STP (22.7 L/mol) considered? Thanks.

Hi, Would it be reasonable to have uncertainty in your independent variable (e.g. uncertainty of mass measured by electronic balance)? For processing raw data: does each processed answer just have the same number of sigfigs as each raw datum it is calculated from, or do I need to keep track of...

WARNING: Topic is very pedantic. I have used a set of different physics books over the years, and they have all had a focus on the topic of significant figures, error margins and measurement. I have never quite understood these concepts fully and the relationships between them. One aspect I...

I am using square roots, however, I am confused over how many significant figures (s.f.) to keep. Suppose I have ##\sqrt{3.0}##, which has 2 s.f. From three different sources, I'll put a summary in brackets: https://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/downloads/signfig.pdf (if 2 s.f. in the data...

I am having a little trouble to write in the right way a number: I did a calc in which the uncertainty was 150, while the value with physics meaning was about to 1427. I am trying to figure out what is the right way to write it. Now, since the uncertainty can not have more than two significant...

Hi. I understand that the number 20, written like this, has 1 significant figure Suppose I took a pile of measures of length: 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 giving a mean of 172/8 = 21.5 on my calculator If I have to give the mean to the lowest number of significant figures then that would...

I was thinking of choosing 0.740, because it looks the most consistent with the other numbers because they all have a trailing zero. But then, in accordance with sig figs, 0.74 is the right answer. Which one should I choose? Thank you so much!

1203.201 which is 0100|1011|0011.0011|0011 How to round the binary representation to 6 significant figures and 12 significant figures? And what is the rounding rule for base 2? If it was rounded to 6 significant figure, such as 0100|10 {2}, then it changes its initial value, doesn't it? So...

I have solved questions where I have been asked to find something correct to ##m## places of decimal using some series. See this thread. The logic was, the program would terminate at the ##k##th term if the ##k+1##th term is ##<10^{-m}##. But how do I terminate the series here? Say I calculate...

I came across a significant figures problem today that I need information on. The problem is this: "What volume of water can a cylindrical container hold of it is 13.0 cm tall and 12.0 cm in diameter? Show your work and express the answer in scientific notation using significant figures." Of...

Please prove the rules of significant figures. I do not know why when multiplying and dividing we have to retain the same number of significant figures as in the number with the least of them.

Homework Statement This conversion factor 1m = 39.3701 inches was used, when measuring a tape that had inches on it to a full meter. The measuring tape increased by 0.0625 inch increments, so the 1 meter (39.3701) was estimated to be in between the 39.3125 and 39.3750 on the actual measuring...

Homework Statement Correctly present the table of information. The values in the table are deliberately in a wrong format. The calculated Re values have been analysed to have an uncertainty of ± 0.4% and the calculated f values an uncertainty of ± 0.1%. Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a...

In tipler and mosca it says that the number of significant figures in the result of addition or subtraction is no greater than the least number of significant figures beyond the decimal place of any of the numbers. They give the example of 1.040+0.21342. Clearly, 1.040 has three significant...

Homework Statement We measured 2 values and were asked to calculate their average using sig fig The two values were: 1.56324 N and 1.13405 N. ( 1.56324 N + 1.13405 N ) / 2 = 1.348645 N Would the answer be 1.34865 N or 1 N? (Someone told me that we only use the sig figs of measured values...

Homework Statement If I am asked to give my answer in acceptable SI units and to 3 significant figures, how would I express my answer? Homework Equations Answer: 589883.4263 J The Attempt at a Solution My instinct would be to put this in KJ, but I don't know if that's an "acceptable SI...

Homework Statement I am writing a prac report regarding Hooke's Law, and am uncertain how many significant figures I should write my results in in my results table. I have heard that in my prac report, I must keep my significant figures consistent, that is, all data measured by the same device...

Homework Statement The diameter and length of solid cylinder measured with a vernier calipers of least count 0.01 cm are 1.22 cm and 5.35 cm respectively. Calculate the volume of the cylinder and the uncertainty involved within it. Homework Equations V= 1/4 πd2 l The Attempt at a Solution...

Homework Statement A regulation soccer field for international play is a rectangle with a length between 100 m and 110 m and a width between 64 m and 75 m. When calculating the areas what is the appropriate number of significant figures? Homework Equations multiplying/dividing: The least...

Homework Statement This isn't a specific HW problem, its just something I keep tripping over for some reason so I guess it qualifies as HW. OK so, for example the number 1.5 has 2 sig fig . But if you compare that to another number with 3 sigfigs, like 1.58, then arent they actually equal...

Hello, I was recently pondering on significant figures and uncertainty reminding myself that there is no perfect measurement: every measurement involves an error caused by the instrument and/or the operator. A measurement should be executed as many times as possible and not just once. The...

There is something I seriously don't understand about uncertainty. Suppose there is an electric balance that reads 5.67g The limit of reading is 0.01g The greatest possible error is half of the limit of reading and is thus 0.005g By this logic, and assuming the very best possible situation, I...

1. The problem statement, all variables, and given/known data If we add 3.46 and 2.3 we get 5.76. we can round it to two significant numbers 5.8 because there is the least two significant digit 2.3 but If we add 2.3 X 10^4 + 1.6 X 10^3 = 2.3 X 10^4 + .16 X 10^4 = 2.46 X 10^4. Here can we round...

Homework Statement Number of significant figures on 5.400 are? Homework Equations Does the 0s after 4 count as significant figures? The Attempt at a Solution 4 ?

If I have a result that can only be quoted to 2s.f., let's say 20, and I calculate an uncertainty of 0.2, then how do I quote this?

Homework Statement )(9.66x10^-1) + (5.1x10^2) -8.77+2.8 ) / ((8.333x10^-2)(3.001)) Homework Equations NoneThe Attempt at a Solution my answer does not match the answer key which is 2.0 x 10^3.[/B] When i did the problem , i ended up get 3 SF answer. The numerator simplies to 504.996 where...

Homework Statement I'm having difficulties figuring out how many significant figures to report for several caluclations in my lab report. As it is a report, there are no specific problem statements. Homework Equations No equations, but there is a rule I was told: when dividing/multiplying I...

Homework Statement I've been given a list of lengths of the side of a small metal sheet in the shape of a square. The length of the side of this square sheet varies with temperature. I have to calculate areas for each length and then calculate the average area. What should be the uncertainity...

Homework Statement Basically there is a results table for the time taken for 20 oscillations. Three examples are 9.90, 11.16 and 12.68. I need to work out the time period to the correct number of significant figures. Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I divide by 20 to get the time...

Homework Statement An object of mass m = 2.3±0.1 kg is moving at a speed of v = 1.25±0.03 m/s. Calculate the kinetic energy (K = 1 /2mv2 ) of the object. What is the uncertainty in K? I am not exactly sure if I used the error equation correctly when I start using Δ(v2). Could someone verify my...

Homework Statement I don't understand this question . The author want the at least 2 significant correct . why 0.5x10^(2-m) is used ? It's not clear that the author want the answer to be less than 5 ?50? 0.5 ? 0.05 ?or 0.005? Can someone explain it ? Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a...

Homework Statement I am given some results of certain experiments with errors and I need to rewrite them correctly in term of significant digits. Homework Equations The professor explained to us that, for example, 1.12345 ± 0.5231 is not correct (or at least not the right way) because you...

Homework Statement I'm working through some exercises in which I'm supposed to convert various units of speed from SI units to other units Example: 0.4m/s into km/h Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution Having checked, I know my answer to be (to 3 significant figures) correct. My...

I measure some quantity with an instrument that it is precise to two decimal points. So maybe I get 8.84 V. Then I do some changes in my parameters and get 0.01 V. The two measured values are precise to two decimal points. But the first one has three significant figures, while the second one...

Homework Statement What is the uncertainty in 5.00mm measured by an analog device? Homework Equations No equations, Uncertainty and error analysis question The Attempt at a Solution I know that the uncertainty is half the smallest division but i can't figure out what is the uncertainty and...

Homework Statement In a physics lab, Logger Pro software generated statistical estimators such as the standard deviation σ = 0.04021 of a sample of size n = 29. Among other things, I must calculate the standard error of the mean σmean. My question is: Must σmean have four sig figs or two...

Homework Statement Hi, To add or subtract sig figs, it is to my understanding that the answer is reported so that it reflects the least precise number. For the example 43.4 - 22 - 3, would I report my answer as 18 or 20? Thanks. Any help is very much appreciated! Homework EquationsThe...

I know the phrase ''theoretical physicist'' may be a general term, do they or ''mathematical physicists'' use significant figures? I know it's kind of a silly question, but it stems from what I learned in chemistry class. Our chemistry teacher talked about the importance of such things and I...

Hi, I've just had my first lab in physics and I'm having a bit of trouble understanding how to determine the significant figures of my final answers and transforming them in scientific notation. For example: Homework Statement [/B] I had to measure three sides of a parallelepiped with a...

Homework Statement We measure the period of oscillation of a simple pendulum .In successive measurements ,the readings turn out to be 2.63 s , 2.56s , 2.42s , 2.71s and 2.80s . What is the period of oscillation taking into account appropriate significant figures ? Homework EquationsThe...

How many significant figures should be present in the answer of 5*5.364? 1) Addition rule: The result cannot have more digits to the right of the decimal point than either of the original numbers. 2) Multiplication rule: The result must be reported with no more significant figures as there are...