Significant digits...forgot the rule for each AP

Test Preparation AP Test Preparation
1

<p>yeah I got mixed up.</p>

<p>In AP Calculus, I know it's always 3 decimal places. Even if its 32.890</p>

<p>And I don't recall we round that off to 32.900 in AP Calculus</p>

<p>=============</p>

<p>For AP Chemistry, I forgot what is the correct sig figs.....</p>

<p>==============</p>

<p>What is the sig fig rule for AP Physics B or C??</p>

2

<p>I generally went with the the least amount of sig figs in the question.</p>

3

<p>For AP Chem, when you multiply it’s the least amount of sig figs. </p>

<p>0.00034 only has two sig figs. 0.003040 has four sig figs. If you multiply them, your answer should only have two sig figs.</p>

<p>When you add, you take the least amount of digits after the decimal. </p>

<p>0.3940 plus 1.0 = 1.4</p>

4

<p>I think chem is the only one that considers significant digits. For all the other ones it’s 3 places after the decimal rounded or 4 unrounded.</p>

5

<p>The idea is that you should never have more sig figs than the least accurate measure you have.</p>

6

<p>I know, but whatever your final answer is, there is a certain rule for each AP. For AP Calculus, I remember it’s like 3 decimal places always; ignoring the sig fig rule.</p>

7

<p>^ You’re right about the AP Calculus rule, although you never need to place zeroes to fill the three decimal places; if the answer is 32.890, 32.89 would be accepted.</p>

8

<p>fairy_dreams, that’s the general rule…I recall the reason why my Chemistry teacher gave us a special periodic table. My teacher said it has 3 sig figs and we always use the 3 decimal places. I just don’t remember the rule for answers.</p>

9

<p>For AP Chem, I recall it being just the general rule. It just so happens that the average number of sigfigs was three, so my teacher always said if you’re not sure, go with 3 :]</p>

10

<p>how about statistics? is it also 3 places after the decimal point? will you actually get graded down for calculus or statistics if you use too few/ too many digits after the decimal?</p>

11

<p>^I don’t think it matters for Stats. Our teacher hasn’t mentioned anything about rounding or sigfigs, so I think rounding to 3 or 4 places should keep you safe.</p>

12

<p>For calc, just make sure you have 3 or more decimal places. For chem, actually factor in the sig figs of the measurements you are using and you are able to be off by one sig fig.</p>

13

<p>My teacher always said to round to the 4th decimal place for Stat</p>

14

<p>For the 3 decimal place rule for AP Calc, do you write 32.000 if the answer is 32? Do you write 32.120 if the answer is 32.12? Is always writing 3 digits after the decimal point the rule?</p>

15

<p>No. For Calc, just go to three decimal places when necessary. If the answer is 32.54, you don’t have to write 32.540. If the answer is 32, you don’t have to write 32.000. And yes, three decimal places is the general rule.</p>

16

<p>Chem will not lose credit unless you are off by more than one sig fig. If you use 3, then you’re set because it won’t be 1 and it won’t be 5.</p>