Math Is Fun Forum

petermoore

Member

Registered: 2011-06-01

Posts: 5

Significant Figure

Hi Everyone

In helping my Grandson with his Maths the following question
seems to have 2 answers.

Could anyone help with the correct solution ?

Question :- What is 372.42 correct to 1 significant figure ?

Is this the same as giving the figure to 1 decimal point ? ie :- 372.4

or is 1 significant figure :- 372 as a whole number ?

Your help would be much appreciated.

Many thanks

Peter Moore

gAr

Member

Registered: 2011-01-09

Posts: 3,482

Re: Significant Figure

Hi petermoore,

After a bit of searching, I found this:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_rounded_to_1_significant_figures

I hope his text book or notes may contain some examples, please verify.

---

"Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense"  - Buddha?

"Data! Data! Data!" he cried impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay."

anonimnystefy

Real Member

From: Harlan's World

Registered: 2011-05-23

Posts: 16,049

Re: Significant Figure

hi pm

neither of your answers are true it should be 400.

the same is shown in the link that gAr posted.

---

“Here lies the reader who will never open this book. He is forever dead.
“Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most.” ― Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment
The knowledge of some things as a function of age is a delta function.

anonimnystefy

Real Member

From: Harlan's World

Registered: 2011-05-23

Posts: 16,049

Re: Significant Figure

http://www.mathisfunforum.com/viewtopic.php?id=15609

---

“Here lies the reader who will never open this book. He is forever dead.
“Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most.” ― Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment
The knowledge of some things as a function of age is a delta function.

gAr

Member

Registered: 2011-01-09

Posts: 3,482

Re: Significant Figure

Hi anonimnystefy,

Is there a mistake in the link you posted?
Perhaps, you meant this: http://www.mathsisfun.com/rounding-numbers.html

---

"Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense"  - Buddha?

"Data! Data! Data!" he cried impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay."

petermoore

Member

Registered: 2011-06-01

Posts: 5

Re: Significant Figure

Hi my regular friend gAr and anonimnystefy

gAr your link does give all the info required.

and thanks Stefy, yes 400 is correct.

Thanks for all your help.

Where are you guys from ?

Regards and Thanks

Peter Moore

gAr

Member

Registered: 2011-01-09

Posts: 3,482

Re: Significant Figure

Hi petermoore,

You're welcome.
I'm from India.

---

"Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense"  - Buddha?

"Data! Data! Data!" he cried impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay."

anonimnystefy

Real Member

From: Harlan's World

Registered: 2011-05-23

Posts: 16,049

Re: Significant Figure

hi pm

you're welcom.i am glad i could help a little.
I'm from Serbia.

---

“Here lies the reader who will never open this book. He is forever dead.
“Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most.” ― Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment
The knowledge of some things as a function of age is a delta function.