What are Significant Figures?
Significant figures (sig figs) represent the meaningful digits in a measured value. Our calculator helps students, scientists, and engineers determine the number of reliable digits in numerical data, crucial for maintaining precision in scientific calculations and laboratory reports.
Sig Figs Rules Table
| Rule | Example | Sig Figs |
|---|---|---|
| Non-zero digits are significant | 123 | 3 |
| Zeros between significant digits | 1002 | 4 |
| Leading zeros not significant | 0.0045 | 2 |
| Trailing zeros after decimal | 45.00 | 4 |
| Exact numbers unlimited | 100 (exact) | ∞ |
Advantages & Disadvantages
✅ Advantages:
- Ensures measurement precision in scientific experiments
- Standardizes data reporting in research papers
- Prevents overestimation of measurement accuracy
- Essential for proper rounding in calculations
- Improves consistency in laboratory documentation
❌ Disadvantages:
- Different interpretation contexts may cause confusion
- Ambiguity in trailing zeros without decimal points
- Requires understanding of measurement context
- Not applicable to exact mathematical constants
- Potential for misinterpretation in non-scientific use
FAQ
Q1: How do sig figs affect calculations?
Significant figures determine the precision of final answers in calculations. When multiplying/dividing, the result should have the same number of sig figs as the least precise measurement. For addition/subtraction, match the decimal places of the least precise number.