Significant Digit (Noun)
Meaning
Any digit of a number that is known with certainty; any digit of a number beginning with the leftmost non-zero digit and ending with the rightmost non-zero digit (or a zero considered to be the exact value); "he calculated the answer to four significant figures".
Classification
Nouns denoting quantities and units of measure.
Examples
- He calculated the answer to four significant figures and presented it in the report.
- The scientist carefully recorded the temperature reading, paying special attention to every significant digit.
- The lab manual specified that all calculations should be done to three significant figures.
- Her mistake was in including an extra significant digit that was not supported by the data.
- When expressing the concentration of the solution, the instruction was to provide the value to two significant figures.