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Chapter 2: Problem 15

Why is it important to keep track of significant figures?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Significant figures are crucial for maintaining precision in measurements. They reflect the reliability of a measure. Therefore, it is important to keep track of significant figures when performing mathematical operations, particularly in science and engineering, where precision can make a significant difference.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding significant figures

Significant figures are the numbers used to express a measured quantity, they include all the certain numbers plus one uncertain number. These figures convey the reliability of a particular measurement. For instance, if a measurement is made up to 2 decimal places, every figure in that measurement is significant.
02

Role of significant figures in calculations

When performing calculations, it is important to keep the same number of significant figures to maintain the reliability of the results. For example, when multiplying or dividing, the final answer should have as many significant figures as the number with the fewest significant figures. When adding or subtracting, the answer should be rounded to the smallest decimal place in the problem.
03

Importance of significant figures in real-world applications

In real-world applications, particularly in the field of science and engineering, maintaining significant figures is crucial for precision. Errors in calculations can lead to large discrepancies in operations like mixing chemicals in a lab or designing a building structure.

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