Question

Doubt in significant figures

If i say that i measured a length and found out to be 200cm (without mentioning error).. this has 1 significant figure.. which means that it is somewhere near 200.. but may swing between like 175- 195 - 220. or so on..
is it correct?
now if i say i measured it to be 200.0 cm.. then it means, that it has 4 significant figures cause now m saying.. it could be somewhere like 200.01- 200.05 or something.. correct??

what if i want to say its accurate upto to 200 but m not sure about decimals.. it could be 200.1 or 200.4 m not sure!?..

Answer 1

So how to put it in 3 significant figures?

the way i see it.. its not possible.. that is why we came up with scientific notation..

so to denote 1 sig.. we say 2 X 10^2
for 2 sig we say 2.0 X 10^2.. which could mean it is something like 201 or 204 or something

and for 3 sig we would say 2.00 X 10^2..

is whatever i said correct?? or my whole notion of significant figures is wrong? :P

Answer 2

2.00 X 10^2 is for 3 sig figures :)

Answer 3

yea.. isn't that what i said too? :P.. but what i said above.. that we cannot do 3 significant figures without using scientific notation is correct?

Answer 4

yup :P

Answer 5

ok thank you so much :) :)!

Answer 6

hehe, np :)