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

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    Significant digits
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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the determination of significant digits in two measurements: 0.0029550 m and 7.050800 kN. The consensus among participants is that the first measurement has 5 significant digits, while the second has 7 significant digits. Participants emphasize the importance of understanding why trailing zeros are significant and suggest that students should approach teachers tactfully when disputing grades to avoid conflict. A resource for practicing significant digits is also shared.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of significant digits and their rules
  • Familiarity with scientific notation
  • Basic knowledge of measurement units (meters, kilonewtons)
  • Experience with academic communication and conflict resolution
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the rules of significant figures in scientific measurements
  • Explore online quizzes and resources for practicing significant digits
  • Learn effective communication strategies for discussing grades with educators
  • Investigate the implications of significant digits in scientific calculations and reporting
USEFUL FOR

Students in science and engineering fields, educators addressing measurement accuracy, and anyone needing to understand significant digits for academic assessments.

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
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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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