40. versus 40

[samanthaywu]

40. is 2 sig figs and 40 is 1 sig fig right?

[Jagveer 1I]

Yes, the decimal point makes the first one 2 sig figs and the lack of it makes the second one one sig fig.

[Victor Li 2A]

Here is a useful summary of the sig. fig. rules I found online:

1. All non-zero numbers ARE significant.

2. Zeros between two non-zero digits ARE significant.

3. Leading zeros are NOT significant.

4. Trailing zeros to the right of the decimal ARE significant.

5. Trailing zeros in a whole number with the decimal shown ARE significant.

6. Trailing zeros in a whole number with no decimal shown are NOT significant.


Based on these rules, your answer is correct.

[Mariah Disc 2C]

40. has 2 sig figs while 40 only has one.

[Annika Tamaki 1E]

Yes, that's correct! On Lavelle's website, he has a cheat sheet on the rules of sig figs that you might find helpful.

[George Hernandez 3I]

Trailing zeroes are never significant unless a decimal is present. So yes you are correct since it is for 40.

[tholz11]

Yes. Trailing 0s don't count unless there is a decimal present.

[John_Tran_3J]

I agree with the posts above, the decimal creates another significant figure because of its specific rule.

[ShinwooKim_3E]

Except when the 0s in decimals are considered, whole values with 0s are not accounted for as a signifcant figure.

[Bella Bursulaya 3G]

Yes! When decimals are included, it means that you count everything before and after them. 40.0 would have 3 sig figs, and 40. would have two. 4.0 would also have 2.

[SophiaJenny3I]

Hi! Here's the link to Dr. Lavelle's sig fig cheat sheet you can find on his website.
https://lavelle.chem.ucla.edu/wp-conten ... OUT_SF.pdf

[Serena Song 1A]

Yup! Zeroes at the end of a digit (trailing zeros) are only significant if there is a decimal point present.

[Annette Fishman]

40. has 2 sig figs while 40 only has one! All above answers are correct :)

[Lauren Mungo 1K]

Yes. This is because anything to the left of a decimal point is counted as a sig fig while trailing zeros, with no decimals, are not considered significant

[Jack Kettering 3D]

Yes, you are correct. Any digit to the left of a decimal is counted towards being a sig dig

[Callan Howard]

Yes :)

[TiffanyBrownfield 2I]

Yes, because the decimal in 40. denotes that the 0 adds to the precision. Because of the lack of decimal in 40, we are unsure if the 0 is precise or not.

[Maryeli Garay 2H]

Yes :) because both digits are in front of the decimal

[Dane_Beasley_1E]

The decimal makes 40. have two sigfigs. Without the decimal it just has one sigfig.

[Edward Castro]

I agree with the post above. Trailing zeros cannot count unless there is a decimal .

[Rose_Malki_3G]

Yes because, without a decimal present, ending zeros are not counted as significant digits

[Mina Tadros 3L]

Correct.

[Jaclyn Schwartz 1I]

Yes! 40. has 2 numbers in front of the decimal while 40 is only one sigfig because the zeros after don't count. That summary will be pretty helpful^^

[Katie Phan 1K]

Victor's summary is good!