abdelrahman Posted March 21, 2014 Report Share Posted March 21, 2014 I know that if I am multiplying/dividing my answer is the least number of significant figure in the data and if I am adding/subtracting my answer is the least number of decimal places i the data but what if I have a constant for example:If I want to find the average of the data so I'm going to add them then divide by the number of data:3.05*2.05*1.05/3= 2 or 2.19will the answer be one significant figure because of the three even if the three is not part of the data or will the answer be 3 significant figures as this is the least number if significant figures in the data being calculated. Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
khimberleigh Posted March 21, 2014 Report Share Posted March 21, 2014 You could write '3' as '3.00' then you could safely write your answer to three significant figures without changing the final answer. Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megamind Posted March 21, 2014 Report Share Posted March 21, 2014 First you multiply the 3 numbers. 3.05 * 2.05 ( 3 sig fig. each ) = 6.25 ( retaining 3 sig figures ) . 6.25 * 1.05 = 6.56 ( 3 Sig figures ) . Now, 6.56 / 3 = ?? Note that 6.56 has 3 significant figures and 3 has infinite sig. figures since it is a pure number. 3 is NOT an approximation, it is simply being used for division, it can be infinitely accurate ( 3.00000000000000000000000000000000......) . Therefore, during division, there should be 3 significant figures. 6.56/3 = 2.19 ( rounding off 2.186 to 2.19) . If you still didnt get the point, watch this :- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ym5u5IlYWcg . Nice Question though Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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