Round 3.0491 to 3 significant figures Step by Step

Step by step

The question

Question: round 3.0491 to 3 significant figures.

Round 3.0491 to 3 significant figures

1 Find the first significant figure

The first significant figure is the first digit that is not 0.

In 3.0491, it is 3.

= 3.0491

significant figures: counted from

the first digit that is not 0

2 Count the figures

We count 3 figures from there: 3, 0, 4.

The 3rd figure, 4, is in the hundredths place.

So we round to the nearest hundredth.

= 3rd figure 4 → the hundredths place

3 Look at the next digit

Now we look at the next digit to the right.

It is 9.

5 or more: we round up.

4 or less: we round down.

9 is 5 or more, so we round up.

= 9 is 5 or more → round up

5 or more → up: digit + 1

4 or less → down: digit stays

4 See it on a number line

3.0491 is closer to 3.05.

5 Keep the size

We stop after the 3rd figure.

So 3.0491 is about 3.05.

= 3.0491 ≈ 3.05

So 3.0491 to 3 significant figures is 3.05.

6 Check

Let's check.

3.05 has 3 significant figures: 3, 0, 5.

3.05: figures 3, 0, 5 → 3 s.f.

And it is close to 3.0491.

So the answer is right!

3.0491 ≈ 3.05: the same size

Let's look back.

First: find the first significant figure.

Then: count the figures.

Then: look at the next digit.

Then: see it on a number line.

Then: keep the size.

Last: check.

Answer