Question

A calculator displays a result as 1.365 248 0 x 10⁷ kg. The estimated uncertainty in the result is ± 2%. How many digits should be included as significant when the result is written down? Explain your answer.

Answer 1

HI !

We know that the estimated uncertainity is given to be 2%

this is to be taken as 0.02 which is +0.02 and -0.02.

Now calculating the result, we have,

1.365248 * * ±0.02

Now considering the number of significant digits that are to be included,

1.365 248 0 * can be written as 136.524 80

This is done so that the final result must contain all digits we are sure of, plus one "estimated digit ".

The final result should look like  137 * = 1.37 *

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