SIGNIFICANT DIGIT Meaning and
Definition
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A significant digit is a digit in a numerical value that carries meaning and contributes to the precision or accuracy of the number. In a given number, significant digits are those digits that are not zero and are considered to be reliable measurements or information.
When determining the significant digits, certain rules are followed. Firstly, all non-zero digits are significant. For example, in the number 846.2, all the digits (8, 4, 6, and 2) are significant. However, zeros in between non-zero digits also count as significant. In the number 20305, each digit (2, 0, 3, 0, and 5) is considered significant because they all contribute to the precision or value of the number.
On the other hand, leading zeros, which appear before the first non-zero digit, are not considered significant. For instance, in the number 0.00921, the significant digits are 9, 2, and 1; the leading zeros do not contribute to the precision of the number. Trailing zeros, however, are usually significant as long as they follow a decimal point. In the number 14.800, all the digits (1, 4, 8, and two zeros) are significant since they all affect the accuracy and precision of the value.
Significant digits are important in scientific measurements, calculations, and data analysis as they provide a measure of the precision and reliability of the recorded or calculated values.
Common Misspellings for SIGNIFICANT DIGIT
- aignificant digit
- zignificant digit
- xignificant digit
- dignificant digit
- eignificant digit
- wignificant digit
- sugnificant digit
- sjgnificant digit
- skgnificant digit
- sognificant digit
- s9gnificant digit
- s8gnificant digit
- sifnificant digit
- sivnificant digit
- sibnificant digit
- sihnificant digit
- siynificant digit
- sitnificant digit
- sigbificant digit
Etymology of SIGNIFICANT DIGIT
The word "significant digit" is a combination of two separate words: "significant" and "digit".
1. "Significant" - The term "significant" originates from the Latin word "significans", which is the present participle of the verb "significare", meaning "to signify" or "to make known". It emerged in English in the 16th century. In the context of numbers and mathematics, "significant" refers to the meaningful or relevant digits that convey important information or accuracy.
2. "Digit" - Derived from the Latin word "digitus", meaning "finger" or "toe", "digit" initially referred to the fingers or toes of humans or animals. However, it later came to be associated with numerical digits or symbolic representations of numbers. The usage of "digit" in mathematics can be traced back to the 14th century.
Similar spelling words for SIGNIFICANT DIGIT
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