Significant Digits: a) 4 or 5 & b) 5 or 7

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    Significant digits
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The discussion revolves around a student's concern about significant digits in their online course assignments, specifically questioning the correct number of significant digits in two examples: 0.0029550 m and 7.050800 kN. The consensus among participants suggests that the answers should be 5 significant digits for part a and 7 for part b. Participants advise the student on how to approach the teacher regarding the grading dispute, emphasizing the importance of tactful communication to avoid confrontation. The student expresses frustration over a significant drop in their grade and the teacher's refusal to acknowledge the error. Overall, the thread highlights the challenges of navigating academic disputes and the importance of effective communication with educators.
joejo
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hi guys...

i'm taking an online course and i believe my work was marked wrong...

State the number of significant digits.

a) 0.0029550 m b) 7.050800 kN

can someone please tell me the # of signifcant digits!

is a) 4 or 5 and b) 5 or7

thanks guys...
 
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For A, ask why they just didn't write it as 0.002955 instead of 0.0029550.
Why did they feel that it was significant to include an extra 0?

Why didn't they write 0.00295500000 ?

Same logic to part B.

Here's a nice link that explains significant digits. At the end of the page there's a link that says "practice". It gives you a sig digit quiz. But you can also type your own problems too and check if you're right.


http://academic.umf.maine.edu/~magri/tools/SigFigsAndRounding.html#SigFigRules
 
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I know how to find it out...my teacher is denying I am wrong?? please let me know which answer is right!
 
SOMEONE please my midterm is coming up this week...i need to fix this problem
 
A-5
B-7
um i got to type more stuff to post, this should be enough
 
thanks a lot that's what i wrote and i was getting 100% in that class but now my mark dropped!
 
what did your teacher say
 
from experience, DO NOT tell your teacher there wrong

find a way that will let the teacher correct the mistake themselve
 
lawtonfogle said:
from experience, DO NOT tell your teacher there wrong

find a way that will let the teacher correct the mistake themselve
That's very good advice! The way you phrase your complaint could mean everything, especially if your teacher has an ego.

I'd have to agree with a-5, b-7
 
  • #10
if you want to know, that advice comes experienced with a teacher with an ego the size of the class room, which was big

it was one of my bad 9th grade days.
 
  • #11
hey lawton foggle your a bit to late...I told him he was wrong...and now wat he did is sent me the corrected version of the assignment with completely wrong answers...it's driving me nuts. And when I complain to the principle. He says we wouldn't hire someone unqualified. He's been doing it for the few assignments. My mark went from 100 to 77 and I am going NUTS...23% because he feels like failing me...
 
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