Confusion regarding significant figures in answers

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the application of significant figures in unit conversion, specifically converting 0.4 m/s to km/h. The original poster expressed confusion regarding the significant figures, questioning whether 0.4, which has one significant figure, should influence the precision of the final answer. A participant clarified that when multiplying terms, the result should reflect the least number of significant figures from the original values. The issue was resolved, confirming that the answer should indeed align with the significant figures of the least precise measurement.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of significant figures in mathematical operations
  • Familiarity with unit conversion, specifically speed units
  • Basic knowledge of multiplication of decimal numbers
  • Experience with physics or mathematics homework exercises
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the rules for significant figures in multiplication and division
  • Practice unit conversions between SI and non-SI units
  • Learn about significant figures in addition and subtraction
  • Explore common pitfalls in significant figure calculations
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Students in physics or mathematics courses, educators teaching unit conversions and significant figures, and anyone seeking to improve their precision in numerical calculations.

fleetingmoment
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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


upload_2017-1-27_0-53-30.png


The Attempt at a Solution


Having checked, I know my answer to be (to 3 significant figures) correct. My confusion arises regarding significant figures. Wouldn't 0.4 be 1 significant figure, which, if I remember and understand correctly, influences how the answer must be expressed, which in turn would leave me with a answer value of 1.
 
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Doesn't the exercise state explicitly how many significant figures are needed for the result?
 
fleetingmoment said:

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


View attachment 112152

The Attempt at a Solution


Having checked, I know my answer to be (to 3 significant figures) correct. My confusion arises regarding significant figures. Wouldn't 0.4 be 1 significant figure, which, if I remember and understand correctly, influences how the answer must be expressed, which in turn would leave me with a answer value of 1.

It's okay. I worked out where I was going wrong.
 
fleetingmoment said:
It's okay. I worked out where I was going wrong.
did you get the answer? when you are multiplying 2(or more) terms, the answer should contain as much as significant figures which is equivalent to that of the least number of significant figures containing term in the question.
 
harini07 said:
did you get the answer? when you are multiplying 2(or more) terms, the answer should contain as much as significant figures which is equivalent to that of the least number of significant figures containing term in the question.
oops sorry, just now i have seen that it's marked solved.ignore my useless rambling then :p
 

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