All students read this sig fig post [ENDORSED]

[Rida Ismail 2E]

Will we be penalized for putting extra significant figures?

Yes, I believe we will because sig figs determine the amount of precision that a number contains. If we have too many or too few sig figs, our precision for that number will be off

[ZevMarx-Kahn3C]

How do you deal with significant figures when you have exact values (e.g., exactly 1:2 ratio of molecules in a reaction)? Do we treat the exact value as having infinite sig figs?

[Emma Joy Schaetz 1E]

Are we supposed to have the correct sig figs for each step or just the final answer?

Thanks!

Only the final answer requires the correct number of significant figures but for quizzes there are only a certain amount of points you can lose for significant figures. In others words you do not lose a point every time your sig figs are incorrect on an answer. I was told by a TA there are only so many points awarded for this and it is better to understand the concepts and calculations and then implement your sig fig knowledge

Is this also true for exams? Or will the midterm and final take off more points for sig figs?

[Justin Quan 4I]

When showing work on homework, must we write out all the sig figs in the intermediate steps even when we know the final answer will have fewer sig figs?

[Nathan Rothschild_2D]

Also don't forget any equations or constants that you are using to convert g to mols or anything else should not be taken into account for when figuring how many sig figs your answer should be in.

[Nathan Rothschild_2D]

No you don't have to write out every sig fig. If the final answer is 3 sig figs then you will be fine if you use 3 in the intermediary steps.

[SMIYAZAKI_1B]

Do you know if the problems will specifically tell us how many significant figures to use?

Okay so when it comes to sig figs, it isn't about the problem telling you which places to round up to, but rather it is about how many digits are present in the values provided. For example, had said that problem stated 3.55g, that refers to 3 significant figures. Therefore, you would want to round to that value if what you are doing is multiplication or division. For addition and subtraction, you want to round it to the decimal places. For example, if the problem stated 7.4m, that means you want to round the answer to tenth place for your answer. As the initial post stated, you don't want to try rounding in the middle of the process because that often times messes up by a small margin which can be crucial to the problem.

[McKenna_4A]

Will we be penalized for putting extra significant figures?

I think so. But definitely use extra sig figs during calculations

[McKenna_4A]

Will we be penalized for putting extra significant figures?

I think so. But definitely use extra sig figs during calculations

[ahuang]

For the upcoming test on Tuesday, will we be penalized for having incorrect sig figs?

[405398682]

I can easily get confused when I am trying to figure out the sig figs in the calculation of mole/mass using molar mass. Should I just consider the number of sig figs depending on the numbers in the molar mass?

[405398682]

Should I take sig figs while I am calculating one problem step by step? Should I use sig figs every step or should I just consider the sig figs on the very last calculation?

[Abraham De Luna]

Should I take sig figs while I am calculating one problem step by step? Should I use sig figs every step or should I just consider the sig figs on the very last calculation?

I believe that you should only use significant figures on the last calculation. It is also important to keep in mind that significant figures will be important on the test that we have Tuesday.

[Ethan Low 1L]

I think something that helps with the sig fig issue is under appendix 1 in the mastering chemistry textbook, part 1C "Scientific Notation", i think reading that would help illuminate a lot of misconceptions/ preconceived notions behind how to present significant figures.

[Adelpha Chan 1B]

Should I take sig figs while I am calculating one problem step by step? Should I use sig figs every step or should I just consider the sig figs on the very last calculation?

Keep as many significant figures as you can during the middle steps to ensure you are getting an accurate answer. Rounding for significant figures should only be done in the final step.

[Nathan Rothschild_2D]

If you must round sig figs earlier in a problem because something has so many sig figs it is a nuisance to write out then just add 3 sig figs to whatever your final answers number of sig figs should be when rounding. I use this for just cases of multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction. If you are doing something to the power of another I would use an additional 5 sig figs and this generally does not affect my final answer.

[RBergtraun_3A]

Will we be penalized for putting extra significant figures?

Without a doubt. I would not add any extra.

[Jaden Joodi 3J]

Do you know if the problems will specifically tell us how many significant figures to use?

First time using this forum so I have no idea if I am doing it right, but to try and answer your question: It is highly unlikely that any problems will specify how many significant figures to use in the answer. The best way to determine the amount of Sig. Figs. to use in the answer would be to use the same amount of Sig. Figs. as the lowest provided during the question. i.e if the question was "3.062 x 4.52", the answer would be 13.9, instead of 13.8024 (3.062 has 4 Sig. Figs. while 4.52 has 3 Sig. Figs., so the answer can only have 3 Sig. Figs.)

[Arnav Saud 2C]

Quick question concerning sig figs, do we round up if the number is 5?

[505612629]

When submitting an answer online on sapling, what is the format for sig figs? Do I need to change it to have "x 10^_"?

[angelasavage]

Quick question concerning sig figs, do we round up if the number is 5?

I was told that it depends on the digit to the left of it. If the digit to the left of the 5 is even, you don't include the 5 at all, but if the digit to the left of the 5 is odd, you round so that the number is even.

[keely_bales_1f]

In my discussion class, my TA said that 0.500g is only 1 significant figure. I am pretty sure it was 3 significant figures, but I just wanted to double check here.

[Irene Nguyen 2J]

In my discussion class, my TA said that 0.500g is only 1 significant figure. I am pretty sure it was 3 significant figures, but I just wanted to double check here.

I'm certain 0.500 has 3 significant figures because trailing zeroes are taken into account because there's a decimal point. Leading zeroes, however, are never significant-- so 0.005 is only 1 sig fig, but 0.500 has 3.

[SophiaBarden 2E]

Does Sapling homework normally take into account the sig figs? I had some problems submitting an answer with the correct rounding and took multiple tries.

[SophiaBarden 2E]

In my discussion class, my TA said that 0.500g is only 1 significant figure. I am pretty sure it was 3 significant figures, but I just wanted to double check here.

The Sig figs sheet on Lavelle's website states that trailing zeros with a decimal point are counted as significant. Take a look at that page, it is helpful!

[Emilie_Paltrinieri_1K]

I think we will have to understand, through the various rules, what significant figure is appropriate for the exercise given. Remember the different regarding zeros, decimal places and different approaches for subtraction/addition and multiplication/division.

[605291562]

Does sapling take sig figs into account? I know some other online textbooks have a buffer so you still get credit even if your answer is rounded wrong.

[Rajshree 1F]

How do we know how many significant figures should be in our final answer? Is it based on the lowest number of significant figures given in the problem? I recall learning that during each step of calculation the number of significant figures in that step and the operation being done during that step dictates how many significant figures the answer should have.

[keely_bales_1f]

In my discussion class, my TA said that 0.500g is only 1 significant figure. I am pretty sure it was 3 significant figures, but I just wanted to double check here.

The Sig figs sheet on Lavelle's website states that trailing zeros with a decimal point are counted as significant. Take a look at that page, it is helpful!

Thank you so much! I will go ahead and give it a look.

[keely_bales_1f]

In my discussion class, my TA said that 0.500g is only 1 significant figure. I am pretty sure it was 3 significant figures, but I just wanted to double check here.

I'm certain 0.500 has 3 significant figures because trailing zeroes are taken into account because there's a decimal point. Leading zeroes, however, are never significant-- so 0.005 is only 1 sig fig, but 0.500 has 3.

Thank you for confirming. Just wanted to make sure.

[Emily_Stenzler_2H]

Do sig figs (and how many sig figs should be in the final answer) have any real applications in a chemistry lab? Or is this simply something we do for practice when showing calculations?

[Michelle Le 3C]

In terms of problems with multiple steps, do we maintain the sig figs after each step? Or do we round it to sig figs at the end?

[Kiara Phillips 3L]

Do you know if the problems will specifically tell us how many significant figures to use?

No, and because this is a useful tool for chemistry in general it is best that we learn the rules although they are tasking at times. Good luck!

[Kandyce Lance 3E]

Do you know if the problems will specifically tell us how many significant figures to use?

I believe you use the lowest number of sig figs gives from numbers in the question

[Audrey Banzali-Marks 1A]

Can someone help me with a quick review of zeros in sig figs? I always get confused as to which zeros count as significant and which ones do not.

1. All non zero numbers are significant.
ex) 613 has 3 sig figs

2. Zeros located between non-zero digits are significant
ex) 5004 has 4 sig figs

3. Trailing zeros (those at the end) are significant only if the number contains a decimal point; otherwise
they are insignificant (they don’t count)
ex) 10000. has 5 sig figs but 10000 only has 1 sig fig

4. Zeros to left of the first nonzero digit are insignificant
ex) 0.052 has 2 sig figs

This is an amazing review! Also, when we have specific numbers of objects (ex: 500 people) that cannot be split, are these whole numbers seen as having infinite sig figs/not factored into figuring out the number of sig figs to use? I feel like I remember that exception from my high school chem class but I could be wrong.

[Aida Fraser 2I]

Should we wait to round sig figs until the end of a calculation or round throughout?

Wait until the end - rounding throughout creates inaccuracy.

[Emily Wu 2G]

Should we follow the same number of signings as shown in the question throughout us answering its, or should we always follow the two sigfigs rule?

[Ashley Fakolujo 3H]

Is it acceptable to just use the same amount of sig figs as given in the problem?

[Yewon Jang 3K]

Do constants like Avogadro's constant count towards significant figures? Since it uses 4 sig figs, if it were the value with the least amount of sig figs would we use 4 for our final answer if that makes any sense? Thanks!

[claraschwartz_3H]

This worksheet from Professor Lavelle's website was very helpful to me when I was reviewing sig figs!

https://lavelle.chem.ucla.edu/wp-conten ... OUT_SF.pdf

[Triston Dinh 1D]

How do you deal with significant figures when you have exact values (e.g., exactly 1:2 ratio of molecules in a reaction)? Do we treat the exact value as having infinite sig figs?

Exact values would be treated as having infinite significant figures; if a value is exact, it should not affect the accuracy and/or precision of a calculation.

[cecilia1F]

I have found this video really helpful when reviewing significant figures:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2yuDvwYq5g

[Jeffrey J Cheng 2L]

When taking values from the periodic table (ex. for calculating molar mass), how many significant figures do you round to?

Hi Jasmine,
Lina said that Lina takes all of the molar mass digits the periodic table has to offer when solving problems. Working with all the molar mass digits and then rounding/applying significant figures at the end of the problem ensures the accuracy of the final answer.
However, personally, when reading molar masses, I like to take only 2-3 digits after the decimal. While not as accurate as the previous method of taking the entire molar mass, rounding molar masses to the 2nd or 3rd decimal makes memorizing common molar masses much easier. After you do enough problems, you probably won't need to refer to the periodic tables for Hydrogen (1.01g/mol), Oxygen (16g/mol), Carbon (12.01g/mol), Nitrogen (14.01 g/mol), and whatever other molar masses you can hold in your brain. Which method you use is up for personal preference: do you want to be a little more accurate? or a little more efficient?
Keep in mind though: Though I take 1.01g/mol for Hydrogen's molar mass, I treat that value as an exact value. That means 1.01g/mol has infinite significant figures. If a question asked me to find the mass of 2.000 mol of H₂ I would include 4 sig figs in my final answer:



2.000 has 4 sig figs
2 has infinity sig figs
1.01g/mol also has infinity sig figs
And so my final answer would come out with the same sig figs as the term with the least sig figs, which is 2.000molH₂ with 4 sig figs.

[Jacqueline Duong 1D]

For molar masses taken from the periodic table, what amount of sig figs should we use?

[Charlie Sjogren-Black]

Do we round to as many significant figures as the given information/values have?

[Charlie Sjogren-Black]

For molar masses taken from the periodic table, what amount of sig figs should we use?

I believe we just use as many digits as possible to keep the accuracy until we get the solution, then we should round to a certain amount of sig figs.

[Syrah Tamola 3C]

Is this question in regards to how the answers on the midterms and final will be?

[Benicio Rivera 1F]

How do I use scientific notation on my calculator to keep the correct number of sig figs?

[Anna Dai-Liu 3B]

Do we round to as many significant figures as the given information/values have?

https://lavelle.chem.ucla.edu/wp-content/supporting-files/Chem14A/EVERYTHING_YOU_WANTED_TO_KNOW_ABOUT_SF.pdf
According to this document, in the case of multiplication and division, the number with the fewest number of sig figs in your given values determines the number of sig figs that are included in your final answer. I'm not sure about addition/subtraction though - does anyone else know?

[Jonathan Shyu 3L]

So just to clarify, using proper sig figs is only for final answer, but when solving the problem we use any amount of sig figs to avoid improper rounding.

[Chem_Mod]

So just to clarify, using proper sig figs is only for final answer, but when solving the problem we use any amount of sig figs to avoid improper rounding.

Correct, and well stated.

[Kathleen Wijaya 3L]

What is the standard amount of sig figs we should use on assignments/assessments if it's not given?

[14b_student 2E]

Are we not going to be graded on the test with sig figs in the same way that the achieve hw grades us?

[605823283]

What happens if we have the correct answer but the wrong number of sig figs? Will we get still get full credit or just partial or even none at all?

[SerenaSabedra]

In my IB mathematics class and my IB chemistry class, I was taught to keep all sig figs until the very end in order to ensure accuracy. Is this still an okay method to use as long as I round to the correct number of sig figs in my final answer?

[DArcy Perlman 1C]

Yes I just follow what however many sig figs the problem gives. If there are multiple numbers in the problem with different numbers of sig figs, I just stick with whichever number has the smallest amount of sig figs for accuracy. For example if 1.007 and 2.03 are the numbers given in the problem, give your answer in terms of 3 sig figs.

[Brandon Achugbue 3H]

Should we be sticking to the amount of sig figs that the info in the problem presents? Or is it arbitrary the number we choose as long as we're accurate?

[AndreyCastellanos 3H]

1. All non zero numbers are significant.
ex) 418 has 3 sig figs

2. Zeros located between non-zero digits are significant
ex) 7004 has 4 sig figs

3. Trailing zeros (those at the end) are significant only if the number contains a decimal point; otherwise
they are insignificant (they don’t count)
ex) 10000. has 5 sig figs but 10000 only has 1 sig fig

4. Zeros to left of the first nonzero digit are insignificant
ex) 0.061 has 2 sig figs

Got this from searching up Organic Chemistry Tutor on YouTube

[Christine Huerta 3D]

Will we be penalized for putting extra significant figures?

Yeah, because it becomes incorrect with extra sig figures like in 0.098, you'd get a penalty for counting the 0s before the 98, if I've understood things correctly.

[kayleec1004]

In a multi-step problem, we would write our answers with the specified significant figures (0.33). But do we still use the answer with the specified sig figs for the following questions or do we calculate the answers based on the actual value (0.3263139)?

[605823283]

Why don't we just round in chemistry? What is the point of sig figs?

[Calvin Su 1B]

Why don't we just round in chemistry? What is the point of sig figs?

To my understanding, the point of using sig figs in chemistry, and more generally science and math, is to get as close to the exact value within a given problem based on the numerical information provided. Technically we do round our calculations (to the nearest sig figs), and although somewhat meticulous, sig figs ultimately provide more effective organization of answers to problems in numerical form.

[RJ Lopez 2l]

Are we supposed to have the correct sig figs for each step of the question or just the answer? Also what about constants we are given such as Avogadro number

[Sarah3C]

Does anyone know what number of sig figs we should be using throughout the problems? If we use the numbers saved within the calculator and convert to sig figs at the end will we still get the answer with correct sig figs?

[Neha Mukund]

I would just use the lowest number of sig figs from the numbers given in the problem, hope that helps.

[Freddy_Gold 3A]

When we are not given any numbers that aren't textbook numbers (i.e molar masses or numbers where the significant figures don't matter) and are asked to give a calculation as an answer, how many significant figures should we default to?

[Freddy_Gold 3A]

When should we round to sig figs? At the very end (so that would mean using more than sig figs during our calculations) or after every step?

[Lan Wei 3I]

How do we know how many sig figs we should keep in each step of our calculation, so that our answer doesn't get affected?
For instance, if the questions ask us to keep 3 sig figs for our answer, how many sig figs should we keep in each step of our calculation to get to the answer?

[Leon Zhou 2B]

If I have two numbers with a different amount of sig figures, should I write my final answer with the number that has less significant figures?

[George Kefalas 1D]

Are we supposed to have the correct sig figs for each step or just the final answer?

Thanks!

I believe you only round with sig figs at the very end of your calculations. This is because rounding at each step of calculation will steadily provide you with a more inaccurate end result (due to several steps of rounding). Hope this was helpful

[106046096]

In problems, will it explicitly tell you to be cautious of sig figs or how many sig figs there should be ?