Question

what determines if a measurement taken from a measuring instrument has an uncertainty digit? how does the uncertainty digit affect the number of significant figures that measurement has? explain your answer.

Explanation:

The uncertainty digit is the last digit in a measurement. It is estimated when taking a measurement. Significant figures include all certain digits and the one uncertain digit. So the uncertainty digit is part of the significant figures. For example, if a length is measured as \( 12.3\space cm\), \(12\) is certain (from the markings on the instrument) and \(0.3\) is uncertain (estimated). The significant figures here are \(3\) (the two certain digits \(1\) and \(2\) and the one uncertain digit \(3\)).

Answer:

The uncertainty digit is the estimated digit in a measurement. It is included as the last digit in the significant figures. So the number of significant figures is equal to the number of certain digits plus one (the uncertainty digit).