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Comments (5)
Goh Ying Ting said
at 9:47 pm on Jan 13, 2013
Hi Mr Ang, for PRN 1.1, why is precision dependent on the number of significant figures? For instance, why is it that values with equal number of s.f. are of equal precision? Thanks!
Goh Ying Ting said
at 10:00 pm on Jan 13, 2013
Oh and sorry to bother again but if the value is 5.2 x 10^-2, the number of d.p. would be 3 d.p., hence would the number of significant figures be 3 (0.052) or 2 (5.2 x 10^-2)?
johnlittlephysics said
at 10:11 pm on Jan 13, 2013
First, we need to know the original reading recorded from an instrument.
E.g. if the reading is 0.052 cm, this is 3 d.p. and 2 s.f.
when we write it in standard form, the precision and hence s.f. must not change, though d.p. may be different.
The reading is rewritten as 5.2 x 10^-2, this is 1 d.p. and still 2 s.f.
Goh Ying Ting said
at 2:21 pm on Jan 16, 2013
Okay thanks!:)
johnlittlephysics said
at 10:07 pm on Jan 13, 2013
Dear Ying Ting, in future
1. click on respective PRN link above to post on specific PRN handout.
2. indicate which page/paragraph you are referring to for easier clarification.
- I assume you are referring to page 4 Example?
That examples shows the same reading of length expressed in different units. The precision of that reading (measured by one instrument) should not change when it is expressed in different units of cm, m or km. Thus, its s.f. which represents the precision of that instrument remains the same.
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