Significant figures (1 Viewer)

[Babbabooey]

How strict are HSC markers in terms of sig figs for chemistry, maths and physics, and is 100 considered 1 or 3 sig figs. Thanks

 

[Lara34]

Usually, they will choose a few questions in the test where they will mark you down for incorrect significant figures in maths. Chemistry is extremely strict with significant figures. I don't know about physics, but I assume it would be similar to chemistry. My advice for you is to be confident with significant figures because it's really not worth losing a mark because of it! All the best with your studies!

 

[Lara34]

Which digits count?
All non-zero digits (1-9) count.
Zeros between non-zero digits count (e.g 102 has three sig fig).
Leading zeros (zeros before the first non-zero digit) don't count (e.g. 0.0025 has two sig fig).
Trailing zeros (zeros at the end) only count if there's a decimal point (e.g., 100.0 has four significant figures, but 100 has one significant figure).

 

[Lara34]

Rounding non-decimal numbers:
Original number: 12345
To 4 significant figures: 12350
To 3 significant figures: 12300
To 2 significant figures: 12000
To 1 significant figure: 10000

Rounding decimal numbers:
Original number: 0.012345
To 4 significant figures: 0.01235
To 3 significant figures: 0.0123
To 2 significant figures: 0.012
To 1 significant figure: 0.01

Rounding with trailing zeros:
Original number: 1200
To 4 significant figures: 1200
To 3 significant figures: 1200
To 2 significant figures: 1200
To 1 significant figure: 1000

Rounding numbers in scientific notation:
Original number: 4.56789 x 10^3
To 4 significant figures: 4.568 x 10^3
To 3 significant figures: 4.57 x 10^3
To 2 significant figures: 4.6 x 10^3
To 1 significant figure: 5 x 10^3

Rounding numbers with decimal places:
Original number: 123.456
To 4 significant figures: 123.5
To 3 significant figures: 123
To 2 significant figures: 120
To 1 significant figure: 100

Rounding exact numbers or defined quantities:
Original number: 100 (exact)
To 4 significant figures: 100.0
To 3 significant figures: 100
To 2 significant figures: 100
To 1 significant figure: 100

 

[Babbabooey]

Rounding non-decimal numbers:
Original number: 12345
To 4 significant figures: 12350
To 3 significant figures: 12300
To 2 significant figures: 12000
To 1 significant figure: 10000

Rounding decimal numbers:
Original number: 0.012345
To 4 significant figures: 0.01235
To 3 significant figures: 0.0123
To 2 significant figures: 0.012
To 1 significant figure: 0.01

Rounding with trailing zeros:
Original number: 1200
To 4 significant figures: 1200
To 3 significant figures: 1200
To 2 significant figures: 1200
To 1 significant figure: 1000

Rounding numbers in scientific notation:
Original number: 4.56789 x 10^3
To 4 significant figures: 4.568 x 10^3
To 3 significant figures: 4.57 x 10^3
To 2 significant figures: 4.6 x 10^3
To 1 significant figure: 5 x 10^3

Rounding numbers with decimal places:
Original number: 123.456
To 4 significant figures: 123.5
To 3 significant figures: 123
To 2 significant figures: 120
To 1 significant figure: 100

Rounding exact numbers or defined quantities:
Original number: 100 (exact)
To 4 significant figures: 100.0
To 3 significant figures: 100
To 2 significant figures: 100
To 1 significant figure: 100

Thank you so much