Sig Figs in Mulitstep Problems

[KarineKim2L]

For multi-stage problems, are sig figs only graded for the final solution? Is it best to keep lots of figures for all of the steps and only round the final answer?

[vpena_1I]

It's best to keep as many figures as you can when doing the calculations and then rounding off the final answer to the necessary sig figs. With some calculators, its easy to carry over large numbers with the [ans] button.

[zfinn]

I'm not sure what Dr.Lavelle prefers for his class, but I usually keep more sigfigs than needed during the process of the problem (for accuracy) and then round to correct sigfigs for my final answer.

[Jacob Puchalski 1G]

I think it's best to round throughout the steps to an extent; we should round enough so that it's easier to keep track of the numbers but not so much that it'll affect the final answer. Maybe around four sig figs?

[405268063]

Yes, that's what I would do. Keep more figures than you know you need for the sig figs at the end of the problem (you can figure this out by looking at the numbers given in the problem) and then round at the very end for your solution.

[Michelle Le 1J]

Yes, I agree with the previous responses because it doesn't hurt to have more sigfigs than you need during your calculations, but it will mess them up if you accidentally rounded up a number.

[mayarivers3I]

When I do sig figs for multistep problems, I don't round until the final answer because it's easier to continue the calculations on a calculator and your final answer will be more accurate.

[305416361]

Also one thing to keep in mind is that most graphing calculators have a sig fig function if you're using those for homework problems, but we're not allowed to use those on exams, so it's probably better to just get in the habit of keeping more sig figs throughout the problem and then rounding at the end.

[HannahBui 2K]

It's best to keep as many sig figs as possible while going through the steps of a problem and only round once you've gotten your final answer!

[stephaniekim2K]

Personally, I have a calculator that keeps track of all the problems I did previously (TI-84), so what I do is when I am doing work on paper, I will write the answer (throughout the problem not the final answer) with the amount of sig figs that are called for, but when I am calculating the next portion, I will use the full number that isn't rounded.

For example, if I was working through a problem

(1.12)(2.338)=2.62

I would write it down like this (above) on my paper, but on my calculator (say I needed to do another part) I would put this

2.61856 .......

the whole number instead of the rounded 2.62.

[emwoodc]

Yes, if you round the sig figs too early in the problem, it could produce an answer that's one or two numbers off