Using significant digits and calculations
Significant digits are digits in a number that carry meaning contributing to the precision or accuracy of the number. When performing calculations with significant digits, it is important to maintain the correct number of significant digits throughout the calculation and round the final result to the appropriate number of significant digits.
For example, consider the calculation of 3.15 * 2.4:
First, multiply 3.15 by 2.4:
3.15 * 2.4 = 7.56
The number 7.56 has three significant digits, so the result should be rounded to three significant digits. Therefore, the final answer is 7.56.
It is important to remember that when performing calculations with significant digits, the final answer should have the same number of significant digits as the measurement with the least number of significant digits. This helps ensure that the final result is accurate and precise.