Question

How do you reduce a number to a certain number of significant digits?

Answer 1

Follow a step by step process.

Explanation:

Step 1. Underline the number of significant figures you need
Example. If you need to reduce `5572` to 2 significant figures, underline the two numbers on the left: `ul5 ul5 72`

Step 2. Look at the next number (not underlined)
Example. `ul5 ul5 color(red)(7) 2`

Step 3. Round up or down depending on the following rule
- If the next number is 5 or more, round up
- If the next number is 4 or less, round down
- Change the remaining numbers to zero
Example. `ul5 ul6 0 0`