Significant Figures Calculator
Calculate and count significant figures (sig figs) in numbers. Perform arithmetic operations while maintaining proper significant figures.
Significant Figures Rules
1. Non-zero digits are always significant
Example: 123.45 has 5 significant figures
2. Zeros between non-zero digits are significant
Example: 1002 has 4 significant figures
3. Leading zeros are never significant
Example: 0.0045 has 2 significant figures
4. Trailing zeros are significant only if the number contains a decimal point
Examples:
– 1200 has 2 significant figures
– 1200.00 has 6 significant figures
For Calculations:
Addition/Subtraction: Result should have the same number of decimal places as the least precise measurement.
Multiplication/Division: Result should have the same number of significant figures as the least precise measurement.
Understanding Significant Figures
Significant figures (also called significant digits) are the digits in a number that carry meaning contributing to its precision. This includes all digits except:
- Leading zeros (e.g., 0.0045 has 2 sig figs)
- Trailing zeros when no decimal point is present (e.g., 1200 has 2 sig figs)
Why Are Significant Figures Important?
Significant figures are crucial in scientific measurements because they indicate the precision of a measurement. Using the correct number of significant figures:
- Prevents over-representation of measurement precision
- Maintains consistency in calculations
- Follows scientific conventions for reporting data
Common Applications
Significant figures are used across many scientific disciplines including:
- Chemistry experiments and measurements
- Physics calculations and data reporting
- Engineering specifications and tolerances
- Medical dosage calculations