Contents
Key Stage 4
Meaning
Significant Figures are the number of digits representing the accurate value of a number.
About Significant Figures
- Significant Figures begin with the digit representing the largest number.
- A number may be correct to a given number of significant figures.
- The number of significant figures is related to how resolution of a measuring instrument.
- When performing a calculation the answer should never be given to more significant figures than the numbers used in the calculation.
Examples
π = 3.14159265359 correct to 12 significant figures.
π = 3.142 correct to 4 significant figures.
The diameter of Earth = 12,742,000m correct to 5 significant figures.
The diameter of Earth = 12,700,000m correct to 3 significant figures.
The diameter of Earth = 10,000,000m correct to 1 significant figures.