Question

Rounding logarithms

Answer 1

In physics or something similar where you the 'precision' you want is just the power of (say, 10) of the result, am I right in saying that if the number (in standard form) preceding the 10s is smaller than 3.16 (=10^0.5), round down, and otherwise, round up?

Answer 2

Honestly in engineering if youre just looking for the general magnitude in terms of powers of 10s, you just round it off normally. You shouldnt round 3.5 * 10^(10) to 10^(11). Its too much an abuse.

Answer 3

I suppose: if you want to take the logarithm of the answer, then I guess that's what you'd do, but otherwise I'd think you're right. Thanks/.