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How do I find last significant figure. Please give a thorough explanation because I do not understand this (40 points)

Use 46.7350 as example

User Kulikov
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1 Answer

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Answer:

Below I have listed a write up that helped me!

Step-by-step explanation:

Here are some general rules regarding significant figures (or sigfigs!)

1) any number that is not a 0 is always a sigfig. In your example, the significant figures would be 4, 6, 7,3,5 and *0. (*there are special rules regarding the number 0)

2) If a 0 is between two non-zero digits (sigfigs), it will be a significant figure. For example, in the number 305, the 0 between the 3 and 5 would be considered a significant figure.

3) 0's that "lead", or are to the left of significant figures are NOT significant figures. For example, in the number 0.002, there would be only one significant figure, which is the 2.


4) 0's that "trail", or are to the right of a significant figure behind a decimal place, are significant figures. For example, in the number 3.1250, the 0 at the end would be considered significant. There are five sigfigs total in this number. The trailing 0 in your example would be significant!

5) However, regarding the rule above, if the number DOES NOT have a decimal place and has trailing 0's, those 0's will not be considered significant figures. For example, in the number 5,320, the 0 at the end would not be significant and there would be three sigfigs in this number.

User Jason Novak
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