Significant digits, precision

and
accuracy
Dr. Hina Dutt

hina.dutt@seecs.edu.pk
SEECS-NUST
Precision and Accuracy
Accuracy refers to how closely a computed or
measured value agrees with the true value.

Precision refers to how closely individual

computed or measured value agrees with each
other.
Precision and Accuracy
• Precision is governed by the number of digits
being carried in the numerical calculations.
• Accuracy is governed by the errors in the
numerical approximation.
 Inaccuracy (also called bias) is defined as systematic deviation from the truth
Imprecision (also called uncertainty), on the other hand, refers to the
Example magnitude of the scatter..

Let us consider example of target

practice.
Bull’s eye represents the truth value.
The bullet holes on each target in fig
represent approximations of
numerical technique.
(a) inaccurate and imprecise,
(b) accurate and imprecise,
(c) inaccurate and precise, and
(d) accurate and precise.
Significant Digits/Figures

The significant digits in a measurement consist of all

the digits known with certainty plus one final digit,
which is uncertain or is estimated.
 For example: Study the diagram below.

Using the ruler at the top of the diagram, what is the length of
the darker rectangle found in between the two rulers?

Answer: The length is between 4 and 5 cm. The “4” is certain, but the
distance past 4 cm will have to be estimated. A possible estimate might be
4.3. Both of these digits are significant. The first digit is certain and the
second digit is uncertain because it is an estimate.
Using the ruler at the bottom of the diagram, what is the length of the
darker rectangle found in between the two rulers?

Answer: The edge of the rectangle is between 4.2 cm and 4.3 cm.
We are certain about the 4.2, but the next digit will have to be
estimated. As possible estimation might be 4.27. All three digits
would be significant. The first two digits are certain and the last
digit is uncertain.
 Remember…
The last digit in a measurement
is always the uncertain digit.

It is significant even if it is not

certain.

The more significant digits a value

has, the more accurate the
measurement will be.
 R U L ES
E A F E W
E Q U IT M A N Y
E R E A R H O W
TH R M I N E
T D E T E S A
TH A T D I GI T W I L L
I F I CA N S . YO U .
SIGN N T H A R U L ES
U R E M E T H ES E
M E A S O R I Z E
O M E M
NE E D T
Rule 1

If a number contains no
zeros, all of the digits are
significant.
Example If a number contains
no zeros, all of the
How many significant digits are significant.
digits are in each of the
following examples?
a) 438
b) 26.42 Answers:
c) 1.7 a)3
b)4
d) .653 c)2
d)3
Rule 2

All zeros between two

nonzero digits are significant
Example All zeros between two
nonzero digits are
How many significant significant.
digits are in each of the
following examples?

a) 506 Answers:

b) 10,052
a)3
c) 900.431 b)5
c)6
Rule 3-a
Zeros to the right of a nonzero digit
a) If they are to the right of a nonzero
number but not sandwiched between nonzero
and decimal point, they are not significant.
Example
How many significant
digits are in each of the
following examples?
Answers:

a) 4830
a)3
b) 60 b)1
c) 4,000 c)1
Rule 3-b
Zeros to the right of a nonzero digit
b) If these zeros are sandwiched
between a nonzero number and a decimal
point, they are significant.
Example
How many significant
digits are in each of
the following
examples? Answers:

a) 4830. a)4
b)2
b) 60.
c)4
c) 4,000.
Rule 4
In decimals less than one, zeros to the
right of a decimal point that are to the left
of the first non-zero digit are never
significant. They are simply place holders.
Example
How many significant
digits are in each of
the following
examples? Answers:

a) 0.06 a)1
b)2
b) 0.0047
c)1
c) 0.005
Rule 5

All zeros to the right of a decimal point

and to the right of a non-zero digit are
significant.
Example
How many significant digits are in
each of the following examples?
a) .870
b) 8.0 Answers:
c) 16.40
a) 3
d) 35.000
b) 2
e) 1.60 c) 4
d) 5
e) 3
Unlimited Number of Significant Figures
There are two situations in which numbers have an unlimited number
of significant figures.
Counting and Equivalents

• The first involves counting.

Example: 23 people in your classroom. This measurement is a
counted value, so it has an unlimited number of significant figures.

• The second situation involves equivalents like those found within a

system of measurement.
Example: 60 min = 1 hr , 100 cm = 1 m
Unlimited Number of Significant Figures

Counting and equivalents do not

limit the significant figures in
your calculations!
Example
Which digits are significant figures?
1. All non zero digits (1 to 9)
2. Sandwich zeros – which are between non-zero digits
• Example 1,001
3. Trailing zeros – with a decimal point
• Example 1,001.000
Example

Which ZERO digits are NOT significant figures?

• Leading zeros before real numbers
• Example 0.000231
• Trailing zeros after real numbers if no decimal is
written
• Example 1,000,000
Each of these measurements has only two
significant figures:

0.0071 meter = 7.1 x 10-3 meter

0.42 meter = 4.2 x 10-1 meter
These are 0.000 099 meter = 9.9 x 10-5 meter
leading zeros All digits are
significant using
scientific notation
The zeros in these measurements are not significant:
WHY?

300 meters ? (one significant figure)

7000 meters? (one significant figure)
27,210 meters
? (four significant figures)

No captured zeros nor trailing zeros, no decimal points!

Example
Suppose that the winner of a 100-meter dash finishes the race in
9.98 seconds. The runner in second place has a time of 10.05
seconds. How many significant figures are in each measurement?
Give the rules 1-4.

There are three significant figures in 9.98

Rule 1- every nonzero digit is significant

There are four significant figures in 10.05

Rule 1- every nonzero digit is significant
Rule 2 – sandwich zeros between nonzero digits are significant
Example
How many significant figures are in each measurement? Give
the rule(s) for counting significant figures
a. 123 m 3 sig-figs -– all nonzero numbers

b. 40,506 mm 5 sig-figs -– all nonzero numbers

– sandwich zeros

c. 9.8000 x 104 m 5 sig-figs -– trailing zeros with a decimal are

significant
Example
How many significant figures are in each measurement? Give the
rule(s) for counting significant figures
a. 22 metersticks Unlimited- counting
b. 0.070 80 m
4 sig-figs - all nonzero numbers are significant
-sandwich zeros are significant
– trailing zeros with a decimal are significant

c. 98,000 m 2 sigfigs -– all nonzero numbers

No decimal so zeros are placeholders
No captured & no trailing zeros
Practice Problems
How many significant digits are in each of the following examples? Answers:
1) 47.1
2) 9700. 1)3
3) 0.005965000 2)4
4) 560 3)7
4)2
5) 0.0509
5)3
6) 701.905
6)6
7) 50.00 7)4
8) 50.012 8)5
9) 0.000009 9)1
10) 0.0000104 10)3