Significant figures arithmetic operations

Arithmetic operations that involve measurements are done the same way as operations involving any other numbers. But, the results must correctly indicate the uncertainty in the calculated quantities. Perform all of the calculations and then round the result to the least number of significant figures. To round a number, use the following rules. 

It is best to carry out the arithmetical operations and then round the final answer to the correct number of significant figures, rather than round off the input data first. The difference is usually small, but this recommendation is nevertheless worth following. For example, the correct way to add the three distances 15 m, 6.6 m, and 12.6 m is... 

In the three simple arithmetic operations we have performed, the number combination generated by an electronic calculator is not the answer in a single case The correct result of each calculation, however, can be obtained by rounding off. The rules of significant figures tell us where to round off. 

Perform each of the following arithmetic operations, reporting the answer with the proper number of significant figures a. (23X657) d. 1157.23 - 17.812... 

Significant Figures and Arithmetic Operations The following two rules tell how many significant figures to show based on the arithmetic operation ... 

In arithmetic operations, the final results must not have more significant figures than the least well-known measurement. 

Report the result for the indicated arithmetic operations using the correct number of significant figures. Assume that all values are measurements. 

ARis Practice Exercise Carry out the following arithmetic operations and round off the answers to the appropriate number of significant figures (a) 26.5862 L -I- 0.17 L,... 

Example A1.2 shows how significant figures are handled in arithmetic operations. 

How does one determine the significant figures in a number obtained from an arithmetic operation Follow this algorithm for addition and subtraction ... 

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