Significant Figures

Significant Figures

1. Leading zeros are not significant
2. always round off when possible
3. equations stay the same

To determine the number of significant figures in a number use the following 3 rules:

1.Non-zero digits are always significant
2.Any zeros between two significant digits are significant
3.A final zero or trailing zeros in the decimal portion ONLY are significant
Example: .500 or .632000 the zeros are significant

.006 or .000968 the zeros are NOT significant