SigFig Clarification
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SigFig Clarification
Hello, I am confused if 0.023 is 2 sigfigs or 3 sigfigs. I thought it was 2 since the other zeros are just placeholders but someone told me it was 3 since it was after the decimal. I know 2.0 is two sigfigs but I don’t see how the leading zeros would be a sigfig.
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Re: SigFig Clarification
Hello Vy,
As you said earlier, 0.023 would have two sig figs. In this scenario, the 0's (despite being clustered near a decimal point) would not be significant as they are leading.
As you said earlier, 0.023 would have two sig figs. In this scenario, the 0's (despite being clustered near a decimal point) would not be significant as they are leading.
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Re: SigFig Clarification
Hi, Vy! You were correct about "0.023" only having two sig figs (2 and 3). Because the zeros are leading, they are not significant, as they do not add information regarding the precision of the number.
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Re: SigFig Clarification
Hello!
You are correct in your thinking that it is 2 sig figs. This is because leading zeros are NEVER counted even if there is a decimal point. Zeros would count if they are sandwiched between 2 other non zero numbers or if they are trailing with a decimal point.
Hope this helps!
You are correct in your thinking that it is 2 sig figs. This is because leading zeros are NEVER counted even if there is a decimal point. Zeros would count if they are sandwiched between 2 other non zero numbers or if they are trailing with a decimal point.
Hope this helps!
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Re: SigFig Clarification
Hi! I believe .023 is only 2 sig figs, but if it was .0230, then it would be 3.
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Re: SigFig Clarification
I believe 0.023 has two sig figs; This is because leading zeros (zeros in front of non-zero numbers) are insignificant.
Hope that helps.
Hope that helps.
Re: SigFig Clarification
It is two sigfigs as there is no number before the decimal point and thus only the numbers at the end within the decimal count as sig figs so that would be the 2 and 3 at the end.
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Re: SigFig Clarification
It would be 2 sig figs since zeros on the left of the number wouldn't count but the zeros to the right would.
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Re: SigFig Clarification
It would have two significant sig figs because the leading zeros do not count, only if it is trailing.
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Re: SigFig Clarification
In this case, 0.023 does have two significant figures because the zeros are leading. They would only be considered significant if they were in the middle of two non-zero digits or are trailing.
Re: SigFig Clarification
When there is no decimal point the trailing zeros are not counted as sig figs and when there is a decimal point any leading zeros are not counted as sig figs. In this problem you are correct and 0.023 has 2 sig figs.
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Re: SigFig Clarification
Zeros are only considered significant if they are trailing, leading zeros aren't sig figs. you were right
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Re: SigFig Clarification
Hi, like some others have said, you are right in thinking that 0.023 would be 2 sig figs. Leading zeros are not significant. Zeros are only significant when they are sandwiched between two other numbers or trailing with a decimal point. For example, both 0.203 and 0.230 would have 3 significant figures.
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Re: SigFig Clarification
There would be two sig figs in 0.023, as the zero after the decimal place is a leading zero and thus is not included in the counted sig figs (only the 2 and 3 are).
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Re: SigFig Clarification
Hi!
You are correct that that number only has 2 sig figs since the zero is a leading zero. If there was a zero at the end of that number as well, then it would have 3 sig figs since the last zero would be considered a significant figure.
You are correct that that number only has 2 sig figs since the zero is a leading zero. If there was a zero at the end of that number as well, then it would have 3 sig figs since the last zero would be considered a significant figure.
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Re: SigFig Clarification
In 0.023, 2 and 3 are the only two sig figs because the zero is leading. Think of it as if it were in scientific notation (2.3x10^-3) where it only has two sig figs.
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Re: SigFig Clarification
There are only two sigfigs. Zeros are only significant if
1. the zero(s) are sandwiched between two non zero numbers: 1,002
2. the zero is next to a decimal point like shown : 180.
3. The zero is after a nonzero number and in a decimal place : 19.00
1. the zero(s) are sandwiched between two non zero numbers: 1,002
2. the zero is next to a decimal point like shown : 180.
3. The zero is after a nonzero number and in a decimal place : 19.00
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Re: SigFig Clarification
Hey,
You are right! Leading zeros don't count for sig figs.
There are only 2 sig figs, since only 2 and 3 count.
You are right! Leading zeros don't count for sig figs.
There are only 2 sig figs, since only 2 and 3 count.
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Re: SigFig Clarification
0.023 is two sig figs, these are the only numbers that dictate the value of the number
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Re: SigFig Clarification
Hey! O.023 would have 2 sig figs just like you thought. One of the sig figs rules is that leading zeros following a decimal with numbers after it are not significant.
Re: SigFig Clarification
Usually, when there are zeros before actual numbers, the zeros are not counted. So you are correct, the number has two significant figures.
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