Hey, when we solve for significant figures, why do we completely get rid of the remaining decimals even though hey have more accurate information?
Ex. 1.23*4.84=5.9532 but we would make it 5.95 based on Sig figs, even though those last two decimals are closer to the answer. Why is this? I know it’s less accurate, though it seems like we’re losing valuable accuracy (even if it’s not perfect, it should be closer)
In: Mathematics
I would say it depends on what you are doing with the number. If you are in the middle of calculations, use as many significant figures as you can. Ideally use algebra or a computer so you don’t have to round at all. Rounding in the middle of calculations can introduce extra error.
If you are publishing a result, use as many significant figures as your least accurate measurement. If you were measuring something with a ruler, it would be misleading to claim that it was 4.837905 mm long. You have no idea what those numbers are after the first 1 or 2 places.
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