Commutative property of numbers and uncertainity

[madah12]

when solving physics problems we have to do various calculation to find a quantity but the results are different if we round up in every operation than if we round up in only the final operation? I never cared before but sometimes I see big differences especially when dealing with numbers with only 1 significant figures.

 

[mathman]

when solving physics problems we have to do various calculation to find a quantity but the results are different if we round up in every operation than if we round up in only the final operation? I never cared before but sometimes I see big differences especially when dealing with numbers with only 1 significant figures.

You're right. It is always more accurate to round at the end only.