rounding during equations

[Funmi Baruwa]

How should we round while we are in the process of solving an equation?

[Chem_Mod]

It would be more accurate to incorporate significant figures/do rounding once you are about done with the calculations (solving the equations).

[Crystal Yu 1D]

I try not to round until the very end so that my answer can be more accurate! :) If your calculator doesn't keep the values, I would just write them down with at least 3 more sig figs than you need so when you have the final answer, it is closer to the correct value.

[Keeryth Sandhu 1H]

I would assume we should round based off of significant figures. Here is a link from the website about the rules for significant figures https://lavelle.chem.ucla.edu/wp-conten ... OUT_SF.pdf

[Natalie Do 3F]

Yeah like other people said, don't round until the end and at the end apply sig figs. If you're comfortable with sig figs (or just lazy) I wouldn't worry about it for the homework if it's multiple choice or something like that because it's more important that you understand the process than having to worry about exact decimals. It also is good to not worry about rounding when you're just practicing because you can start memorizing approximate atomic masses.

[Alvin Lai 3J]

I try not to round during the equations, and round the final answer with sig figs. That way, I get the most accurate answer. Hope this helps!

[Kaihan_Danesh_2J]

I round my answers in the last calculation because I was told that that gives the most accurate answer. I do not know exactly why that is, but it was the rule of thumb in both my regular and AP Chemistry class in high school.

[Gicelle Rubin 1E]

I've found out the hard way that it's best not to round until we are finished with our problem. If we don't, the answer might be off.

[Queena Chu 3E]

I think it's better to put off rounding until all the calculations are done. I usually leave around 6-7 decimal points to try to get as precise of an answer as possible and then round at the very end based on how many sig figs are given in the problem itself.

[Logan Wiedemann 3J]

Rounding at the final answer is probably the best bet just so you can make sure you don't accidentally get a decimal that is incorrect/slightly off from the correct answer.

[Ralph Zhang 2L]

The number of significant digits that you need to keep in the end should be equal to the smallest sig fig value given in the problem. While doing the question, keep the smallest sig fig number +1 then round to the right value in the end. That or keep it all in the calculator.

[Katelyn_Ortega_1D]

I keep the exact number throughout my work so I can have a more accurate answer. Once I have an answer, I round based on Sig Figs

[Agustina Santa Cruz 2F]

I recommend rounding at the end to get the most accurate result and sig figs.

[Jasraj Parmar 3H]

I try my best not to round too much because it will help get you more precise answers. I would use your sig figs to get your final answer.

[Jonathan3B]

I think the general rule of thumb is to wait until you have your final answer to round. This ensures you get the most accurate answer.