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Rules for rounding off numbers. If the digit to be dropped is greater than 5, the last retained digit is increased by one. For example, 12.6 is rounded to 13. If the digit to be dropped is less than 5, the last remaining digit is left as it is. For example, 12.4 is rounded to 12.
SIGNIFICANT FIGURES. The amount of approximation required in a number may be described in another way by saying how many significant figures are required. To find how many significant figures a number contains count all figures in the number except zeros at the beginning or end of the number.
Significant Figures Worksheet #1 Name_____Block____ There are two rules for determining the number of significant figures: 1) If there is no decimal point--start at the RIGHT and count, beginning with the first non-zero digit.
Rules for rounding When making calculations with measured values, the answer will need to be rounded to the correct number of significant figures according to the following rules. 1) Round down whenever the digit following the last significant figure is a 0,1,2,3, or 4. a. For example, 30.24 becomes 30.2.
Rounding a lone 5 (A 5 without following digits). Some instructors prefer the simple “round 5 up” rule. Others prefer a slightly more precise “engineer’s rule” described as follows. a. If the number in front of the 5 is even, round down by dropping the 5. Example: 1.45 = 1.4 b. If the number in front of the five is odd, round it up.
Significant Figure Rules. You can navigate to specific sections of this handout by clicking the links below. Determining Number of Significant Figures (Sig Figs): pg. 1. Addition/Subtraction: pg. 2. Multiplication/Division: pg. 2. Conversions: pg. 3. Sample Problems: pg. 4. Determining Number of Significant Figures (Sig Figs) .
Significant Figures and Rounding – Explanations and Examples Read pages 18-22 in your Lab Manual for a more thorough discussion of the meaning of significant figures and how it relates to accuracy, precision, and error.
