ATAR Notes: Forum
VCE Stuff => VCE Mathematics => VCE Mathematics/Science/Technology => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE Mathematical Methods CAS => Topic started by: a weaponized ikea chair on August 21, 2020, 05:04:57 pm
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Is there a difference?
Like what is 0.00678143 to three decimal places, compared to three significant figures? I've always used them interchangeably.
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Yes, there is a difference.
It would be 0.007 to 3 decimal places.
It would be 0.00678 to 3 significant figures according to VCAA's guidelines:
- Following zeros (after non-zero numbers) are always significant
- Leading zeros (before non-zero numbers) are never significant
- Zeros in between non-zero numbers count as a sig fig
- All numbers except 0 count as a sig fig
Specifying sig figs are usually seen in Physics and Chemistry and not really Methods though. They usually ask you to express your answer to a specific number of decimal places in Methods.
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Yes, there is a difference.
It would be 0.007 to 3 decimal places.
It would be 0.00678 to 3 significant figures according to VCAA's guidelines:
- Following zeros (after non-zero numbers) are always significant
- Leading zeros (before non-zero numbers) are never significant
- Zeros in between non-zero numbers count as a sig fig
- All numbers except 0 count as a sig fig
Specifying sig figs are usually seen in Physics and Chemistry and not really Methods though. They usually ask you to express your answer to a specific number of decimal places in Methods.
Do you round significant figures?
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What do you mean?
For example, if it says 'write your answer to 2 sig figs', there should only be 2 sig figs in your answer.
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What do you mean?
For example, if it says 'write your answer to 2 sig figs', there should only be 2 sig figs in your answer.
lets say 0.00898999 to three sig figs. Would you out 0.00899, or 0.00898?
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Oh, I get what you mean now.
Yes, you do round. So, it would be 0.00899.