1.5 Significant Figures

When we write a number we identify certain digits as significant (meaningful or important) and other digits as not significant because they are simply placeholders for the decimal point.

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Significant Figures in a X or ÷ calculation. The rule for significant figures in a multiplication or
division calculation is simple. Find the number in the calculation with the LOWEST number of significant figures.

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The rule for significant figures in an addition or subtraction calculation is a bit more complicated, because you ignore significant figures! Instead you look at how numbers line up with the decimal point.

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When there are several levels of calculations imbedded in parenthesis, you have to determine the significant figures within each parenthesis and work your way out to the final answer.

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