300 vs 300. [ENDORSED]

[Rita Dang 3D]

Just to make sure. 300 has only 1 sig fig. And 300. has 3 sig figs right?

[Nancy Dinh 2J]

Yup! :)

[skalvakota2H]

Yes, the zeros in 300 are not considered for significant figures but merely space holders, which gives 300 only 1 significant figure.

By adding the decimal at the end, the zeros serve as additional measurement decisions which makes the zeros significant, which gives 300. 3 significant figures; note that scientific notation is used for this purpose, which would yield 3.00 x 10^2

[Amy Zheng 2l]

yep. if there's a period than all number to the left of it is counted as sig figs

[Jesus Rodriguez 1J]

Yes, 300. has 3 sig figs because of the decimal which makes the zeros significant. Whereas the zeros in 300 are just seen as placeholders.

[annie_finneran_1K]

so the decimal is what sig figs revolves around correct? aka when in doubt just look and see the importance of a decimal?

[Bryan Jiang 1F]

so the decimal is what sig figs revolves around correct? aka when in doubt just look and see the importance of a decimal?

Yes, it could help thinking of sig figs like that when looking for the decimal and the numbers that come before it. However, keep in mind situations where numbers only come after the decimal, such as in 0.003. This number would have one sig fig. A number like 0.00300 would have three sig figs, even though the decimal is followed by two zeros before the sig figs. Those zeros function just like the placeholder zeros in a number like 300 (300 with no decimal).

[Isobel Tweedt 1E]

1. non zero = significant digit
1.234 has 4

2. zeros between two significant digits = significant digit
1.002 has 4

3. leading zeros = not significant digits
0.003 has 1

4. zeros following significant digits and a decimal = significant digits
300.0 has 4
0.0030 has 2

5. trailing zeros to the right of significant digits without a decimal = not significant digits
300 has 1

[MinyoungHong_1L]

Dr. Lavelle's link on the class website explaining significant figures is helpful in understanding significant figures. Additionally, I found this website explained the concept pretty well. http://chemistry.bd.psu.edu/jircitano/sigfigs.html