Calculators and significant figures

[fisico30]

Dear Forum,

why do calculators always give an incorrect number of significant figures?
What assumptions do they make?

thanks
fisico30

 

[Mark44]

Dear Forum,

why do calculators always give an incorrect number of significant figures?

I don't believe that the concept of significant figures enters into things at all. A calculator will either give you an exact result (e.g., 2 * 5 = 10, .02 * .04 = .008) or will produce a result with as many decimal places as it is able to display.

What assumptions do they make?

thanks
fisico30