When to round the answers to significant figures

[Ray Guo 4C]

Do we round the answer in every step of the calculation, or do we just round the final answer to the number of significant figures? Because when I round the answer in every step, my final answers are often different from those given by the textbook.

[Kathryn 1F]

It is generally more accurate to round answers only at the end, or even to manipulate/combine equations so that you only have to do one calculation to get your final answer. If you have to do multiple calculations, it is good to note extra digits in the intermediate steps so that you don't have rounding errors (eg if your final answer is 3 s.f, maybe note 5-6 s.f in intermediate steps)

[Samantha Chang 2K]

I would round the answers to the significant figures towards the end because it would provide the most accurate answer. Throughout the problem I would use the most amount of decimal places in order to obtain a precise number until the end.

[Catly Do 2E]

I usually try to keep as many sig figs as I can during the calculations so that the final answer is more accurate. Then, I do all the rounding and cut down to the appropriate number of sig figs at the final step.

[jessicahe4Elavelle]

You should keep as many significant figures as possible when doing your calculations (I usually keep at least 6 decimal places) and then round everything at the very end. Hope this helps

[yaosamantha4F]

I would try to round at the very end whenever possible! Keeping more sig figs in your calculations allows you to end up with a more accurate final result.

[Anjali 4A]

I agree! Keeping extra sig figs during the calculation steps helps to yield the most accurate answer (and rounding the answer at the end). While calculating, I often use the answer stored in my calculator to calculate the next step, so that the most accurate answer will continued to be used for the next step.

[Lasya Gudipudi 1A]

Personally, I tend to be as accurate as possible on every step to get the closest I can to the correct answer, then I will round to the amount of significant figures. Sometimes,I am still a bit of by about .1 or .2, but most of the time it is pretty accurate.

[Lucy Agnew 3E]

I leave all the numbers not rounded until the end! That way it’s the most accurate answer!

[705022748]

Keeping as many significant figures when calculating gets you closest to the correct answer! You can round to the appropriate amount of significant figures at the end.

[Rebecca Park]

I usually round at the very end so I save the numbers in the calculator before rounding the final answer

[Jack Hewitt 2H]

Do we round the answer in every step of the calculation, or do we just round the final answer to the number of significant figures? Because when I round the answer in every step, my final answers are often different from those given by the textbook.

It is best to only round your answers at the very end to ensure accuracy.