Round 382 to 1 significant figure Step by Step

Step by step

The question

Question: round 382 to 1 significant figure.

Round 382 to 1 significant figure

1 Find the first significant figure

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

In 382, it is 3.

= 382

significant figures: counted from

the first digit that is not 0

2 Count the figures

We count 1 figure from there: 3.

The 1st figure, 3, is in the hundreds place.

So we round to the nearest hundred.

= 1st figure 3 → the hundreds place

3 Look at the next digit

Now we look at the next digit to the right.

It is 8.

5 or more: we round up.

4 or less: we round down.

8 is 5 or more, so we round up.

= 8 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

382 is closer to 400.

5 Keep the size

The places after the 1st figure become 0.

The zeros keep the size: 400 is close to 382.

= 382 ≈ 400

Careful!

4 is much smaller than 382.

The zeros keep the number the right size.

Careful: not 382 ≈ 4 ✗

So 382 to 1 significant figure is 400.

6 Check

Let's check.

400 has 1 significant figure: 4.

400: figures 4 → 1 s.f.

And it is the same size as 382: 3 digits before the point.

So the answer is right!

382 and 400: both 3 digits before the point

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