It’s honestly kinda sad that i’m paying $400 each class on college just to teach myself with youtube videos and my professors just sitting back, doing nothing & getting paid for it…. Thanks for this video anyways.
THIS WAS LIFE CHANGING!!!!!!!!!!!!! My professor is a dr. and he couldn't even explain this in a way that his class could understand it! I really appreciated the video and it completely helped me understand precision and sig figs! I even took notes to refer back to. thank you!!
I feel like after watching this video, my whole perception regarding measurements is changed!!! We live in an absolute imperfect world. Its all about the extent we can go for precision!!! ☑
Thank you SO much for this! I at first hesitated due to the length of the video, but having watched it I am VERY indebted. The discussion of significant numbers and measurements drove me crazy today when there were obvious inconsistencies on the material that our teacher provided. It is relatively easy to identify how many significant figures are in a number ALREADY DETERMINED, but to take a measurement yourself and determine how low one can designate the significant figures was not touched upon. I can sleep well now knowing that significant figures are all known numbers PLUS one estimated digit. WHY this wasn't in the textbooks is beyond me.
I have something to clarify, at 7:48, I am quite bothered with the usage of the word "precision" or the words "more precise", I think the better word to be used is accurate or more accurate, am i right? I hope anyone would clarify my dilema with this concept :) thanks
Norman Dañez Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true value. There is no difference in accuracy between 6 cm, 6.0 cm, and 6.00 cm. They are all the same, in terms of their numerical value. On the other hand, precision refers to a set of measurements and how close they are to each other. When the word "precise" is used to describe a measurement (or a ruler in this case), it refers to the fact that there is a small range of error. A measurement of 6 cm can fall between 5 cm and 7cm. A measurement of 6.00 cm falls between 5.99 cm and 6.01 cm. Therefore 6.00 cm is more precise than 6 cm because there is a smaller range of error.
+Michael Farabaugh Can one say that the second and third rulers have a better resolution and therefore the measurement is more accurate (rather than precise)? If I understood right precision refers to a set of measurements not to one single measurement as in the video?
I would say that a reasonable person could estimate the length of any object on that particular ruler to within ± 2 cm of the actual measurement. If we assume that the uncertainty is ± 2, then I would say the measurement of the pencil would be recorded as 6 ± 2 cm.
Michael, you are inconsistent with your statements. Once you are saying that you measure to the one tenth of the scale (so in the case that we have ruler with marks at 0 and 10 cm, we can read up to 1 cm). But above you are saying that with particular ruler one can measure to within ± 2 cm. So which is right??? My answer to that question is - NEITHER. With the ANY ruler or scale you can read ONLY up to the HALF of the smallest grading. So, in the above example at 5:00 min, the readout can be done to within 5cm (one half of the 10 cm); that means that the correct answer is: 5 cm ± 5cm Of course it means that one should use different ruler to measure that pencil. As a rule of thumb - with any ruler/scale one can measure/report value ONLY up to the HALF of the smallest grading (unless Vernier scale is there). That is because the Manufacturer of the ruler made it in such a way that we can be sure only up to the half of the scale marks. Otherwise producer would put more lines for me. The reason there is no more lines b/c they are uncertain!!!!
I have doubt regarding measuring pencil length. E.g. if scale has 2 measuring number 0 and 10 then the length of pencil should 0 cm long. How could it be 6cm? Similarly a scale has least count 1mm from ranging 0 to 10 cm then it can only show length of pencil 6.7 cm , then how can it be 6.75 cm?
Your final digit is the estimated digit, which is one power of ten smaller than the divisions that are marked on the ruler. If the length of the object falls somewhere between the marks at 0 cm and 10 cm, the final digit in your estimate of length should go to the one's place (for example: 6 cm). If the length of the object falls somewhere between 6 cm and 7 cm, the final digit in your estimate of length should go to the tenth place (for example: 6.5 cm). If the length of the object falls somewhere between 6.7 cm and 6.8 cm, the final digit in your estimate of length should go to the hundredth place (for example: 6.75 cm).
What happens when a ruler is only accurate to 1/2 of a centimeter and the thing I'm measuring is really 4.43 cm? Do I round to 4.50 or do I put in two uncertain values?
A measurement of 5.412 cm is more precise than a measurement of 5.41 cm. If we assume that the final, estimated digit can vary according to ± 1, then 5.412 ± 0.001 cm is more precise than 5.41 ± 0.01 cm because it has a smaller range of uncertainty associated with it.
Must read: Walther, B.A., Moore, J.L., 2005. The definitions of bias, precision, and accuracy, and their use in testing the performance of species richness estimators, with a literature review of estimator performance. Ecography 28, 815-829.
Sir, i have a question. Sir in the number 36000 why the zeros are not significant ..if we take it as 36000 seconds...then all digits must be significant otherwise the measurement wouldnt make any sense
Focus on the number, and not the unit. If the number 36000 has no decimal point at the end, then all we can say for sure is that we know this value to two significant figures. The actual value of the number could fall anywhere in between values of 35500 and 36499. If, on the other hand, we have a measurement of exactly 36000. we need to place a decimal point at the end of the number. This would indicate that the value is known to five significant figures.
Why can you say that the deviation in the number 5.412 is ± 0.001? As you explained, the "n.nn2" digit is estimated and therefore could range from 0 to 9, yielding in an absolute deviation d < ±0.01. Our measure's smallest division is actually 0.01 units, isn't it? I would suppose a deviation of d < ± 0.001 in 5.412 if I considered the number 5.412 as the median of this range: 5.4115
It sounds like you want the measurement "200" to have exactly two significant figures. The only way to do this is to use scientific notation, as in 2.0 x 10^2
If an instrument has a L.C of 0.1 cm it means we can guess upto 100th place ten power one higher than the L.C, but if a scale has L. C OF 10 kg and a measurement like 8000 kg with this scale should have 2 significant figures but it has 3 S. F WHY? how?
If you weigh the 8000kg on a scale with 10kg division, then it shows up as 800. Then you have to add up ".n" , that is the estimated digit, e.g. it becomes the value 800.0 (x 10) kg. That yields to 4 sig figs. That is what I guess it should be.
If you follow this youtube video ua-cam.com/video/fo_QOB65D7k/v-deo.html, you will actually get your expected answer of 3. Let me calculate it briefly: The resolution is 10kg which is shown as 1 digit in the least signficant position. This digit is already the estimated sig fig, which is estimated by the scale for you. You must not estimate another digit. Also this least sig digit represents a range from 5 to 14 kg due to mathematical rounding to 10kg. Recap: The number "800." (x10) kg has 3 sig fig digits. Also listen carefully to this part of that video to get the explanation ua-cam.com/video/fo_QOB65D7k/v-deo.html . Hope this helps a bit.
Okay, but what is the significance of significant figures? The zeros in a 1500 Liter measurement may not be significant, but they are definitely important. The number would be completely different without them. I don't see the point.
Suppose that the initial reading on a buret (with lines every 0.1 mL) is recorded as 1.52 mL. After dispensing some liquid from the buret, the final reading is recorded as 26.52 mL. How much liquid was delivered from the buret? Now imagine that you have liquid in a beaker (with lines every 10 mL). The volume of liquid is roughly halfway between the 20 mL mark and the 30 mL mark. How should this volume be recorded? The buret delivered 25.00 mL (4 significant figures). The beaker holds 25 mL (2 sig figs). Significant figures give us information about the level of precision associated with the piece of equipment that was used to record the measurement. Since 1500 L (in your example) has only 2 sig figs, the volume could be somewhere between 1400 L and 1600 L. If you had said that the volume is 1500. L (4 sig figs), that narrows it down. The volume would be somewhere between 1499 mL and 1501 mL. A measurement of 1500. L is more precise than a measurement of 1500 L, because there is a smaller range of error.
I could see the logics behind sig figs until he got to talk about numbers with leading zeros. I mean, if sig figs are all the known digits + estimated digit, why would the number 0.007 have only 1 sig fig? I mean, why those leading zeros are not "Known digits/ certain digits"?? If I take a ruler that is graduated in hundredths and I measure a tiny object, which does not even reach the 1 hundredth of a centimeter mark. Therefore, I can assure that this object measures 0,00cm (KNOWN/certain digits) and I can ESTIMATE that it has about 7 thousandths of a centimeter. Therefore, I could say that this object measures 0.007cm, which means that the zeros are the KNOWN digits, and the 7 is the estimated digit. Since sig figs are the known digits + estimated digit (8:45) , why would it be wrong to say that 0.007cm has 4 sig figs????
A measurement of 7.0 cm has 2 sig figs, right? Okay, now let's convert that measurement of 7.0 cm into units of meters, or even kilometers. If we do that, we should still have the same number of sig figs. Doing those conversions gives us values of 0.070 m. and 0.000070 km. Yes, these measurements still have 2 sig figs. If we write them in scientific notation, we would get 7.0 × 10⁻² m and 7.0 × 10⁻⁵ km. They still have 2 sig figs. The scientific notation really illustrates the point that the leading zeroes in a measurement don't count as part of the sig figs. If you convert a measurement from regular notation into scientific notation, you should still have the same number of sig figs either way, as shown in these examples. Notice that the leading zeroes don't count, but the trailing zeroes do. 0.007 cm = 7 × 10⁻³ cm (1 sig fig) 0.0070 cm = 7.0 × 10⁻³ cm (2 sig figs) 0.00700 cm = 7.00 × 10⁻³ cm (3 sig figs)
@@mrfarabaugh Oh, I see. Nice explanation! But like, I still have some doubts. I mean, if we had 0.0070m, it would mean that we know FOR SURE (that is, certain digits/ known digits) that the object we are measuring has 0 ones , 0 tenths, 0 hundredths, and 7 thousandths of meter; Besides that, the digit zero(trailing zero) in the ten-thousandth is just an estimative. If what I just wrote is correct, then we would have four CERTAIN digits {0,0,0,7} and one UNCERTAIN digit {the trailing zero in the ten-thousandth place}. Where am I wrong, Sir?
@gabrieldecker7209 If we had 0.0070 m, it could mean that: we used a metre rule to measure this distance. However, that is an overkill for the choice of measuring instrument for such a small distance and an imprecise measurement given that the metre rule has a precision of 1 mm. OR we used a micrometer screw gauge instead. The screw gauge gave us a more precise reading of 7.0 mm, which we recorded and then converted to 0.0070 m. It can be seen that 7.0 mm and 0.0070 m should have the same number of significant figures (2s.f.) because they refer to the same measurement written in different units. I just saw your question and I hope you find this helpful and relevant after 2 years. :D
I'm not sure why there are two leading zeroes in your number. If your number represents 234000 (two hundred thirty-four thousand) with no decimal point at the end of the number, then it has three sig figs.
Learned more in a 20 minute video than a quarter of chem class. Guess whos acing her exam? Thanks!!
You ace that exam
Zack Stone that was 5 years ago lol
Elite Alpha Views yeah Ik 😂
I hope you aced the exam :)
@@crimsondawn1996 Why are we all commenting on a comment that is 5 years old? She's probably in her 3rd year of University rn
It’s honestly kinda sad that i’m paying $400 each class on college just to teach myself with youtube videos and my professors just sitting back, doing nothing & getting paid for it…. Thanks for this video anyways.
Yeen never lied.
400 dollars !!! seriously !! this is insane
This is way better than Khan Academy's explanation imo.
THIS WAS LIFE CHANGING!!!!!!!!!!!!! My professor is a dr. and he couldn't even explain this in a way that his class could understand it! I really appreciated the video and it completely helped me understand precision and sig figs! I even took notes to refer back to. thank you!!
Who teacher made them watch this
choper me
send help
@@jaymanh lmfao same fam
손
Yep
I feel like after watching this video, my whole perception regarding measurements is changed!!! We live in an absolute imperfect world. Its all about the extent we can go for precision!!! ☑
Thank you SO much for this! I at first hesitated due to the length of the video, but having watched it I am VERY indebted. The discussion of significant numbers and measurements drove me crazy today when there were obvious inconsistencies on the material that our teacher provided. It is relatively easy to identify how many significant figures are in a number ALREADY DETERMINED, but to take a measurement yourself and determine how low one can designate the significant figures was not touched upon. I can sleep well now knowing that significant figures are all known numbers PLUS one estimated digit. WHY this wasn't in the textbooks is beyond me.
the dick riding crazy
Excellent resource, prepared very thoughtfully and systematically! Thank you, sir!
I am a chemistry teacher and I must commend you on your accurate information, clear explanations and well presented video.
THIS VIDEO TAUGHT ME MORE IN 20 MINUTES THAN MY TEACHER DID IN 5 CLASSES
THIS SAVED ME. THE PACIFIC ATLANTIC TRICK IS GENUIS. I LOVE YOU
stupid
This was the explanation I needed to help wrap my brain around this concept. Thank you!!
Now I understand the significance of significant figures! Pun intended! Great video! Both comprehensive and easy to understand; thank you!
this video is amazingly creative with the metaphor of Pacific and Atlantic. Thanks a lot.
Very well done. Great illustrations and slow and steady presentation. I'm using this with my class tomorrow. Thank you for your time to create this.
You explained really clear and you are an excellent teacher. Big thank you for saving my life!!!!
What a wonderful explanation!!
You helped me in my homework thanks😀
You're doing God's work ❤
I guess that 007 agent was really just agent 7 all along.
James Bond has lied to us all.
LOLOLOLOL!!! Awesome! You got it!
@@GPCTM You must be fun at parties
what's a party?
Sir your measuring object section was amazing I had a question on this exact topic but didn’t practice this beforehand
Excellent explanation. Worth watching.
Iam in love with the way you explained it!! You explained each and everything so clearly.....😊
thank you sir! learned this stuff for only 20minutes . lot of helped . earned a subscriber definitely!
I really enjoyed this video and understood every concept. Thanks 😊😊
I wish this guy was my teacher I learned this quicker than my teacher.Now I can go ace my Lab Techniques exam!
YOU SAVED MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!!
first class teaching fascinating ideas
tnq sir
Wow so exciting ✔
It helped me to clear my concepts which were confused by me bcz of my classfellows 💚
I learned more in 20 minutes then I have in 2 weeks
Gracie Hines Same！
Thank you for making this, the details were very useful.
I have something to clarify, at 7:48, I am quite bothered with the usage of the word "precision" or the words "more precise", I think the better word to be used is accurate or more accurate, am i right? I hope anyone would clarify my dilema with this concept :) thanks
Norman Dañez Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true value. There is no difference in accuracy between 6 cm, 6.0 cm, and 6.00 cm. They are all the same, in terms of their numerical value. On the other hand, precision refers to a set of measurements and how close they are to each other. When the word "precise" is used to describe a measurement (or a ruler in this case), it refers to the fact that there is a small range of error. A measurement of 6 cm can fall between 5 cm and 7cm. A measurement of 6.00 cm falls between 5.99 cm and 6.01 cm. Therefore 6.00 cm is more precise than 6 cm because there is a smaller range of error.
+Michael Farabaugh Can one say that the second and third rulers have a better resolution and therefore the measurement is more accurate (rather than precise)? If I understood right precision refers to a set of measurements not to one single measurement as in the video?
Excellent video!
Excellent video. Thank you
thanks soo much ,helped me in my chemical analysis course
Wonderful explanation
Thank you for this video, it is a big help for my 9th grade Physical Science Lab on escience lab
what software do you use to make these presentations, such as the animations with the dartboard. Thank you.
Wait so if I had a ruler only marked at 1 and at 10 and I estimated it at 7, would 7 be significant???
You saved my lab!!
Perfect video. Love it. ❤ Thank U 😘
thx bro you teach better than my teacher, my teacher gives out work and expects us to know it LOL
love this video, it is helpful for me, tysm
Thank u very much for the pure explanation ❤️❤️❤️
extraordinary explanation
Love how you explain it !
The best video big thumps up :)))))))))
Taking notes on the first 10 min for my class......
Nice explanation
So, for the example at 5:00 the measurement would be recorded 6 ± 5cm ?
I would say that a reasonable person could estimate the length of any object on that particular ruler to within ± 2 cm of the actual measurement. If we assume that the uncertainty is ± 2, then I would say the measurement of the pencil would be recorded as 6 ± 2 cm.
Michael, you are inconsistent with your statements. Once you are saying that you measure to the one tenth of the scale (so in the case that we have ruler with marks at 0 and 10 cm, we can read up to 1 cm). But above you are saying that with particular ruler one can measure to within ± 2 cm. So which is right???
My answer to that question is - NEITHER.
With the ANY ruler or scale you can read ONLY up to the HALF of the smallest grading. So, in the above example at 5:00 min, the readout can be done to within 5cm (one half of the 10 cm); that means that the correct answer is: 5 cm ± 5cm
Of course it means that one should use different ruler to measure that pencil.
As a rule of thumb - with any ruler/scale one can measure/report value ONLY up to the HALF of the smallest grading (unless Vernier scale is there). That is because the Manufacturer of the ruler made it in such a way that we can be sure only up to the half of the scale marks. Otherwise producer would put more lines for me. The reason there is no more lines b/c they are uncertain!!!!
This video was very helpful to me! I'm curious to know what grade this is for? Thank you!
High school chemistry (10th grade)
Very nice! I really will use this1
Thanx . You made it clear to me
Thank you very much, it is quite helpful.
you should make a updated version of this video with time stamps and better visuals.
I have doubt regarding measuring pencil length. E.g. if scale has 2 measuring number 0 and 10 then the length of pencil should 0 cm long. How could it be 6cm? Similarly a scale has least count 1mm from ranging 0 to 10 cm then it can only show length of pencil 6.7 cm , then how can it be 6.75 cm?
Your final digit is the estimated digit, which is one power of ten smaller than the divisions that are marked on the ruler. If the length of the object falls somewhere between the marks at 0 cm and 10 cm, the final digit in your estimate of length should go to the one's place (for example: 6 cm). If the length of the object falls somewhere between 6 cm and 7 cm, the final digit in your estimate of length should go to the tenth place (for example: 6.5 cm). If the length of the object falls somewhere between 6.7 cm and 6.8 cm, the final digit in your estimate of length should go to the hundredth place (for example: 6.75 cm).
yes
I LOVE YOU THANK YOU😫😫😫
Nice video
What happens when a ruler is only accurate to 1/2 of a centimeter and the thing I'm measuring is really 4.43 cm? Do I round to 4.50 or do I put in two uncertain values?
In my opinion, I would still estimate the length of the object to the nearest 0.1 cm
Michael Farabaugh thanks
Hey sir what is relation between accuracy and significant figures
excuse me ! I have a question which is more precise 5.41cm Or 5.412cm .Thank you.
A measurement of 5.412 cm is more precise than a measurement of 5.41 cm. If we assume that the final, estimated digit can vary according to ± 1, then 5.412 ± 0.001 cm is more precise than 5.41 ± 0.01 cm because it has a smaller range of uncertainty associated with it.
Please I want more examples precision and accuracy
Must read: Walther, B.A., Moore, J.L., 2005. The definitions of bias, precision, and accuracy, and their use in testing the performance of species richness estimators, with a literature review of estimator performance. Ecography 28, 815-829.
Thanks teacher
Pls give me example for accuracy and precision
welldone
Wonderful
Significant figures tells about precision or accuracy?
Sir, i have a question. Sir in the number 36000 why the zeros are not significant ..if we take it as 36000 seconds...then all digits must be significant otherwise the measurement wouldnt make any sense
Focus on the number, and not the unit. If the number 36000 has no decimal point at the end, then all we can say for sure is that we know this value to two significant figures. The actual value of the number could fall anywhere in between values of 35500 and 36499. If, on the other hand, we have a measurement of exactly 36000. we need to place a decimal point at the end of the number. This would indicate that the value is known to five significant figures.
Thank you 📝👍
Thanks a lot.....
Really helpful
Why can you say that the deviation in the number 5.412 is ± 0.001?
As you explained, the "n.nn2" digit is estimated and therefore could range from 0 to 9, yielding in an absolute deviation d < ±0.01. Our measure's smallest division is actually 0.01 units, isn't it? I would suppose a deviation of d < ± 0.001 in 5.412 if I considered the number 5.412 as the median of this range: 5.4115
just curios what grade are everyone here in ?
+Shamma Altenaiji I'm 6th
8th
10th
college sophomore xD
11th
So significant figures are related to precision in that they indicate how precise a number is.
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eden wtf
@@che1sxii you CRACKHEAD
Huge help thanks!
Thxs 👏
thanks besti
here i am in 2024 still learning from the video thank you
can you define the meaning of equal precision measurement
وايد تسولف ماشالله عليك
Thank you
It makes sense to me
tysvm this clarified so much.
if we measure a value and it gives a value 200 and the intrument is caple of being accurate for the 10th position?????
It sounds like you want the measurement "200" to have exactly two significant figures. The only way to do this is to use scientific notation, as in 2.0 x 10^2
Thank you!!!
If an instrument has a L.C of 0.1 cm it means we can guess upto 100th place ten power one higher than the L.C, but if a scale has L. C OF 10 kg and a measurement like 8000 kg with this scale should have 2 significant figures but it has 3 S. F WHY? how?
If you weigh the 8000kg on a scale with 10kg division, then it shows up as 800. Then you have to add up ".n" , that is the estimated digit, e.g. it becomes the value 800.0 (x 10) kg. That yields to 4 sig figs. That is what I guess it should be.
If you follow this youtube video ua-cam.com/video/fo_QOB65D7k/v-deo.html, you will actually get your expected answer of 3.
Let me calculate it briefly: The resolution is 10kg which is shown as 1 digit in the least signficant position. This digit is already the estimated sig fig, which is estimated by the scale for you. You must not estimate another digit. Also this least sig digit represents a range from 5 to 14 kg due to mathematical rounding to 10kg. Recap: The number "800." (x10) kg has 3 sig fig digits. Also listen carefully to this part of that video to get the explanation ua-cam.com/video/fo_QOB65D7k/v-deo.html . Hope this helps a bit.
Thanks!
Thank! U help me So... i can do the test next week :)
The Pacific one is confusing can someone help
Okay, but what is the significance of significant figures? The zeros in a 1500 Liter measurement may not be significant, but they are definitely important. The number would be completely different without them. I don't see the point.
Suppose that the initial reading on a buret (with lines every 0.1 mL) is recorded as 1.52 mL. After dispensing some liquid from the buret, the final reading is recorded as 26.52 mL. How much liquid was delivered from the buret?
Now imagine that you have liquid in a beaker (with lines every 10 mL). The volume of liquid is roughly halfway between the 20 mL mark and the 30 mL mark. How should this volume be recorded?
The buret delivered 25.00 mL (4 significant figures). The beaker holds 25 mL (2 sig figs).
Significant figures give us information about the level of precision associated with the piece of equipment that was used to record the measurement.
Since 1500 L (in your example) has only 2 sig figs, the volume could be somewhere between 1400 L and 1600 L. If you had said that the volume is 1500. L (4 sig figs), that narrows it down. The volume would be somewhere between 1499 mL and 1501 mL. A measurement of 1500. L is more precise than a measurement of 1500 L, because there is a smaller range of error.
I could see the logics behind sig figs until he got to talk about numbers with leading zeros.
I mean, if sig figs are all the known digits + estimated digit, why would the number 0.007 have only 1 sig fig? I mean, why those leading zeros are not "Known digits/ certain digits"?? If I take a ruler that is graduated in hundredths and I measure a tiny object, which does not even reach the 1 hundredth of a centimeter mark. Therefore, I can assure that this object measures 0,00cm (KNOWN/certain digits) and I can ESTIMATE that it has about 7 thousandths of a centimeter. Therefore, I could say that this object measures 0.007cm, which means that the zeros are the KNOWN digits, and the 7 is the estimated digit.
Since sig figs are the known digits + estimated digit (8:45) , why would it be wrong to say that 0.007cm has 4 sig figs????
A measurement of 7.0 cm has 2 sig figs, right? Okay, now let's convert that measurement of 7.0 cm into units of meters, or even kilometers. If we do that, we should still have the same number of sig figs. Doing those conversions gives us values of 0.070 m. and 0.000070 km. Yes, these measurements still have 2 sig figs. If we write them in scientific notation, we would get 7.0 × 10⁻² m and 7.0 × 10⁻⁵ km. They still have 2 sig figs.
The scientific notation really illustrates the point that the leading zeroes in a measurement don't count as part of the sig figs. If you convert a measurement from regular notation into scientific notation, you should still have the same number of sig figs either way, as shown in these examples. Notice that the leading zeroes don't count, but the trailing zeroes do.
0.007 cm = 7 × 10⁻³ cm (1 sig fig)
0.0070 cm = 7.0 × 10⁻³ cm (2 sig figs)
0.00700 cm = 7.00 × 10⁻³ cm (3 sig figs)
@@mrfarabaugh Oh, I see. Nice explanation! But like, I still have some doubts. I mean, if we had 0.0070m, it would mean that we know FOR SURE (that is, certain digits/ known digits) that the object we are measuring has 0 ones , 0 tenths, 0 hundredths, and 7 thousandths of meter; Besides that, the digit zero(trailing zero) in the ten-thousandth is just an estimative.
If what I just wrote is correct, then we would have four CERTAIN digits {0,0,0,7} and one UNCERTAIN digit {the trailing zero in the ten-thousandth place}. Where am I wrong, Sir?
@gabrieldecker7209
If we had 0.0070 m, it could mean that:
we used a metre rule to measure this distance. However, that is an overkill for the choice of measuring instrument for such a small distance and an imprecise measurement given that the metre rule has a precision of 1 mm.
OR
we used a micrometer screw gauge instead. The screw gauge gave us a more precise reading of 7.0 mm, which we recorded and then converted to 0.0070 m.
It can be seen that 7.0 mm and 0.0070 m should have the same number of significant figures (2s.f.) because they refer to the same measurement written in different units.
I just saw your question and I hope you find this helpful and relevant after 2 years. :D
00234000 has how many sigfigs?
I'm not sure why there are two leading zeroes in your number. If your number represents 234000 (two hundred thirty-four thousand) with no decimal point at the end of the number, then it has three sig figs.
You Man. You know.
great
You've got a bautiful voice. Just saying.
are teacher calls them significant digits
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