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Used properly,they tell us how precise it is. The rule of thumb for significant figures is "every digit you're sure of, and one you're not". So if you're positive something is 123 and a bit, you could do 123.3 or 123.7 or whatever based on your best guess to the last digit.
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Why is it difficult to identify the number of significant figures in this measurement?
Because you haven't told us what the measurement is.
What is the use of learning significant figures?
Significant figures are used often in science. The number of numbers in the answer informs us succinctly how well or how precisely we know an answer. Typically, a number with few significant figures reflects measurements made with cheap or imprecise equipment, while a larger number of significant figures indicates a more careful measurement using fancier (more precise) equipment. Measurement is always a compromise. You want the "best" numbers you can get, but you do not have infinite time nor infinite money to get that information. (An additional significant figure can cost ten times more than the previous one, and can take twice or more time to do the measurement.) The scientist's art lies in using instruments that are good enough to yield an answer that is accurate enough to decide the question (the hypothesis). You actually make decisions like this one every day. Say, for instance, you want to decide whether you can move your table from your kitchen to your bedroom. Question: is there enough space in your bedroom? First, you "eyeball" the table and the space. If there obviously is enough room, you move the table. But what if you don't know? Well, then you probably use your arms to guess the sizes. If you still can't decide, then you would go get the ruler or tape measure to decide once and for all. As you went through this process, you went from an imprecise measurement to ever more precise measurements, until you were able to decide. You did the easy measurement (eyeball) first because it takes the least time and it could have answered the question easily. The same concept applies to science. We do not automatically use the fanciest equipment we have - that would be a waste of time and money. Instead, we try to use the equipment that will give us a "good enough" answer quickly. The result of these measurements is summarized in the significant figures in our answer. For example, a beaker might be able to tell us that we have 25 mL. If that is as precise as we have to get then the beaker is OK. If, however, we need a more precise answer, we might use a graduated cylinder, which might give us 25.2 mL, or a buret, which might give us 25.18 mL, if we need to know the volume that precisely. Note the approximate volume (25 mL) is the same - the difference is that we know that volume more or less accurately, depending on our need. The beaker gave us 2 significant figures (because it is not very precise). The graduated cylinder gave us 3 significant figures, and the buret gave us 4 significant figures. (The graduated cylinder usually costs more and takes longer to read, and the buret costs still more and takes an even longer time to read.) So the answer is that we use significant figures as a shorthand way of telling each other how carefully we made the measurement. Generally 3 significant figures is a typical laboratory measurement, and 6 significant figures often reflects a research university measurement.
List measurement to the smallest measurement to the largest measurement?
the smallest measurement in the us
How many gallons of water in a round tank 6 ft. by 20 ft.?
6 ft by 20 ft is not enough information for us to answer We need to know the radius or diameter of the tank and its height and you have to tell us which measurement is which.
What is the US measurement called?
Customary Units
Why is it difficult to identify the number of significant figures in this measurement?
Because you haven't told us what the measurement is.
What does the number of significant figures in a number tells us about it?
The number of significant figures in a number indicates the precision of the measurement. It tells us how reliable and accurate the measurement is, with more significant figures representing a more precise measurement.
What is the use of learning significant figures?
Significant figures are used often in science. The number of numbers in the answer informs us succinctly how well or how precisely we know an answer. Typically, a number with few significant figures reflects measurements made with cheap or imprecise equipment, while a larger number of significant figures indicates a more careful measurement using fancier (more precise) equipment. Measurement is always a compromise. You want the "best" numbers you can get, but you do not have infinite time nor infinite money to get that information. (An additional significant figure can cost ten times more than the previous one, and can take twice or more time to do the measurement.) The scientist's art lies in using instruments that are good enough to yield an answer that is accurate enough to decide the question (the hypothesis). You actually make decisions like this one every day. Say, for instance, you want to decide whether you can move your table from your kitchen to your bedroom. Question: is there enough space in your bedroom? First, you "eyeball" the table and the space. If there obviously is enough room, you move the table. But what if you don't know? Well, then you probably use your arms to guess the sizes. If you still can't decide, then you would go get the ruler or tape measure to decide once and for all. As you went through this process, you went from an imprecise measurement to ever more precise measurements, until you were able to decide. You did the easy measurement (eyeball) first because it takes the least time and it could have answered the question easily. The same concept applies to science. We do not automatically use the fanciest equipment we have - that would be a waste of time and money. Instead, we try to use the equipment that will give us a "good enough" answer quickly. The result of these measurements is summarized in the significant figures in our answer. For example, a beaker might be able to tell us that we have 25 mL. If that is as precise as we have to get then the beaker is OK. If, however, we need a more precise answer, we might use a graduated cylinder, which might give us 25.2 mL, or a buret, which might give us 25.18 mL, if we need to know the volume that precisely. Note the approximate volume (25 mL) is the same - the difference is that we know that volume more or less accurately, depending on our need. The beaker gave us 2 significant figures (because it is not very precise). The graduated cylinder gave us 3 significant figures, and the buret gave us 4 significant figures. (The graduated cylinder usually costs more and takes longer to read, and the buret costs still more and takes an even longer time to read.) So the answer is that we use significant figures as a shorthand way of telling each other how carefully we made the measurement. Generally 3 significant figures is a typical laboratory measurement, and 6 significant figures often reflects a research university measurement.
Is 20.10 or . 20.1?
The two mean different things; we couldn't tell you which is correct unless you told us what you were trying to mean.If you want to convey that you're sure of four significant figures, then 20.10 is the correct form.
How many cups of sugar are in a izze?
You need to tell us what an "izze" is. -It is not a recognised cooking measurement.
What were the significant events of the war?
What war? Tell us and we might be able to answer you question.
What does Barometric Pressure tell us?
Barometric pressure is a measurement of the weight of the air above us. It can help predict weather changes, as high pressure often indicates fair weather and low pressure can bring in storms or precipitation. Significant changes in barometric pressure can also affect our bodies, leading to headaches or joint pain in some individuals.
What is 233.356 rounded to two significant figures?
When rounding 233.356 to two significant figures, we start counting from the leftmost non-zero digit. In this case, the first two digits are 2 and 3. The digit following the last significant figure (3) is 3, which is less than 5, so we do not round up. Therefore, 233.356 rounded to two significant figures is 230.
What is the width in millimeters of a US dollar bill?
To three significant figures, the dimensions of all current US bills are 156 mm long × 66.3 mm wide × 0.11 mm thick.
What is the width and length of a US dollar bill?
To three significant figures, the dimensions of all current US bills are 156 mm long × 66.3 mm wide × 0.11 mm thick.
List measurement to the smallest measurement to the largest measurement?
the smallest measurement in the us
How many quarts are in 33 liters?
3.3 liters is about 3.49 US quarts.1 liter ~ 1.05669 US quarts1 US quart ~ 0.946353 litersA quart is equal to a quarter of a gallon, or 0.946 millilitres to three significant figures. 3.3 litres is equal to 0.872 gallons, which if you multiply by four, becomes 3.49 quarts, correct to three significant figures.
