Significant figures in a results table

AI Thread Summary
To determine the time period from a results table of oscillation times, the calculation involves dividing the total time by the number of oscillations. The significant figures for the time period should reflect the precision of the measurements involved. Although the number of oscillations is given to two significant figures, the consensus is that the time period should be reported to three significant figures. This is because the number of oscillations is considered a counted quantity, which does not limit the precision of the calculated time period. Therefore, the time period should be expressed with three significant figures.
Alexander350
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Homework Statement


Basically there is a results table for the time taken for 20 oscillations. Three examples are 9.90, 11.16 and 12.68. I need to work out the time period to the correct number of significant figures.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


I divide by 20 to get the time period but should it be to two, three or four significant figures? Because the number of oscillations is only to 2 s.f. I'm thinking it should be two but since that is part of the method and not a measurement per se, should I use the same number of significant figures as the time?

Apparently the answer is 3 significant figures for all of them.
 
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Alexander350 said:
Because the number of oscillations is only to 2 s.f
So you are thinking the actual number of oscillations may have been anything from 19.5 to 20.5?
 
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