Correct 4.097 84 to 3 sig. figs. (1 Viewer)

[BlueGas]

I thought it was 4.098 as 4 9 and 8 are three sig.figs. but the answer was 4.10, how? 0 is not a sig. fig.

 

[rand_althor]

In this case 0 is. The first significant figure is the first non-zero digit. So 0.000102 is rounded to 3 significant figures, not 2 or 6.

 

[BlueGas]

In this case 0 is. The first significant figure is the first non-zero digit. So 0.000102 is rounded to 3 significant figures, not 2 or 6.

Can you explain in a more simple way? I hate correct to significant figures because I never get them right.

 

[Drsoccerball]

Furthermore a significant number is defined as any number excluding 0 but if 0 is in between two significant numbers is also becomes significant.

 

[rand_althor]

Can you explain in a more simple way? I hate correct to significant figures because I never get them right.

Have a read through this: http://www.purplemath.com/modules/rounding2.htm

 

[sourmilk]

I thought it was 4.098 as 4 9 and 8 are three sig.figs. but the answer was 4.10, how? 0 is not a sig. fig.

Because the 0 in 4.098 is significant and possess value in the answer.
Say for example the number was 4.09800000, the remaining 0's after the 8 are not relevant and do not affect the number. However 4.098, removing the 0 and changing it to 4.98 does not possess the same value. It's like removing the 0's from 4008 and changing it to 48, it's not the same.
0 is only a significant fig. where it's smooshed between other numbers, if its before or after a number, then it doesn't matter.

 

[InteGrand]

Because the 0 in 4.098 is significant and possess value in the answer.
Say for example the number was 4.09800000, the remaining 0's after the 8 are not relevant and do not affect the number.

 

[InteGrand]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Significant_figures#Rules_More_Fully_Explained (this section, and the page in general)

 

[Ambility]

OP, if you want to find the sig figs, convert it to scientific notation and the amount of digits infront is your sig figs.