SLOA 8 SIGFIGS

Which zeros are significant?

1. Non-zero digits are always significant 

   1. 1.25cm → 3 sig figs 

2. Zeroes between significant digits are significant 

   1. 6.0205 → 5 sig figs 

3. Zeroes at the end of a number are significant if they are in the decimal position and follow a significant figure 

   1. 0.250 → 3 sigfigs 

   2. 0.020 → 2 sigfigs 

   3. 120 → 2 sigfig (0 not in decimal place)

   4. 4.0 → 2 sigfig

Which zeros are not significant?

Zeroes that are before the first non-zero digit are not significant. They are only pace holders 

• 0.020 → only 2 because the front two zeroes are non sig

Rules for determining the number of sigfigs in a calculation

1. Addition or subtraction 

   1. Keep the least number of decimal places according to the question 

2. Multiplication or division 

   1. Keep the least number of sigfigs according to the question  

   2. 26680 → 2.67 x10⁴

no

no