significant digits
The number of digits used to indicate how precise that measurement is. The number of significant digits depends on the accuracy of the measuring device, that is, the unit of measure offered in that device.

For example, 1.2300 means that the true value is between 1.22995 and 1.23005. Therefore, 1.2300 has five significant digits, in which the trailing zeros to the right of decimal point are significant.

However, trailing zeros to the left of the decimal point may not be significant. The number 123,000 means that the true value of the measurement might be between 122,500 and 123,500. Therefore, 123,000 contains only three significant digits.



 
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