(i) Define significant figures. (ii) State the criterion used to decide the number of…
PHYSICS · Subjective · A Level · Physics · Measurements and their errors · Measurements and their errors
Problem
(i) Define significant figures.
(ii) State the criterion used to decide the number of significant figures retained in the final result of a calculation involving only multiplication and/or division of measured quantities.
(iii) Three measured quantities are recorded as 2.8cm, 0.037m and 5.162mm. Without performing the actual arithmetic, predict how many significant figures the numerical value of the product of these three quantities must finally be expressed to, and explain your reasoning.