Significant Figures of Diameter – Rankers Physics
Topic: Unit And Dimensions
Subtopic: Error Analysis

Significant Figures of Diameter

The diameter of a spherical bob, when measured with vernier callipers yielded the following values: 3.33 cm, 3.32 cm, 3.34 cm, 3.33 cm and 3.32 cm. The mean diameter to appropriate significant figures is:
3.33 cm
3.32 cm
3.328 cm
3.3 cm

Solution:

The mean of the values is \[\frac{3.33 + 3.32 + 3.34 + 3.33 + 3.32}{5} = 3.328 \text{cm}\]. Since the measurements are up to two decimal places, the rounded final result should also have two decimal places: 3.33 cm.

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