Sig Figs when mult. and div. [ENDORSED]

[Nicola Higgins 14B]

Is there a rule we follow when multiplying and dividing numbers where sig figs are specified? What if the 2 numbers have different amounts of sig figs?

[Nova Akhavan 2F]

When multiplying and dividing sig figs your product should have the lowest number of sig figs found in the problem. For example 42.005 x 1.01 = 42.4

[Milli Zunich 3I]

Yea like the person before said, the smallest number of sig figs carries over for multiplication and division. For adding and subtracting though, you keep the value with the least specific decimal place. For example, if the question has 2.3 + 2.34, your answer would be to the tenths place as it has the least specific value.

[Trisha Badjatia 2L]

You should always use the same number of sig figs as the number with the lowest number of sig figs (when multiplying/dividing).

[Sally_Luo_3F]

for sigfig in multiplication and division, you always look at the one that has the lowest amount of sigfig and apply that number of sigfig to the final answer.

[Chance Lee 1G]

Regarding rules for significant figure rules for multiplication and division, the number that contains the lowest number of sig figs within that calculation involving multiplication and/or division would determine the number of significant figures for the final answer.

[amreen_sandhu1k]

I would really recommend looking at Dr. Lavelle's sheet on SigFig rules on his chemistry website since the correctness of our answers are going to base don that. Additionally, I think you're going to be fine regardless since the midterm is multiple choice and you will most likely be able to reason out the correct answer.

[Maggie Clark]

You should use the number of sig figs that the lowest factor has

[Neha Mukund]

When doing operations like multiplying and dividing, you should round your final answer to the lowest number of sig figs given in the problem. Hope that helps.

[Abby Freeman 1C]

What is a safe number of sig figs to use when you're multiplying or dividing a large decimal number given from your calculator (with like 8 digits)? (Referring to steps before using the appropriate amount of sig figs in the final answer).