Significant Figures of Conversion Factors [ENDORSED]

[Joshua Xian 1D]

For conversion factors (including molar masses provided by the periodic table e.g. 12.01 g/mol C), should we assume that they have infinite significant figures and base the number of significant figures in the answer on those of the measured values (e.g. 17.3 m)?

[Stef Newell]

The conversion factors are not pieces of data so therefore their precision is irrelevant. In short, only consider the number of digits in the data values you are given.

[snehabhargava]

The conversion factors do not count for sig figs because they are exact values and are not measurements that is why it does not matter.

[CalebBurns3L]

You are correct in assuming that they have infinite significant figures. They are exact values and therefore their precision is not relevant to the problem; only concern yourself with the sig figs from the pieces of data provided by the problem.