significant figures

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significant figures" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in mathematics and science to refer to the digits in a number that contribute to its precision. Example: "When performing calculations, it is important to round your answer to the correct number of significant figures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This prejudice rules out more than a few significant figures.

The New Yorker

"Those don't seem like significant figures," he said.

The New York Times

But these are numbers with six significant figures (eg, DM1.95583).

The Economist

They included entries on most significant figures in British history up to the year 1900.

The Guardian - Books

And, as long-dead historically significant figures go, he's in good company.

The New York Times

Other significant figures include Nicole Richie (196), Brad & Angelina (148), Madonna (137) and Pamela Anderson (120).

The Guardian - Tech

Significant figures among Kosovo's Albanians suspect him of working for Serbian intelligence.

The New York Times

Who were some significant figures and what made them significant in their sport?

The New York Times

Overview of Lesson Plan: In this lesson, students share opinions about significant figures in music history.

The New York Times

In short, they were significant figures in the development of the dynamic art known as Baroque.

The New York Times - Arts

Significant figures in British theatre are choosing to work with young people.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing scientific or technical content, ensure you adhere to the rules for using "significant figures" to accurately represent precision and avoid misleading your audience.

Common error

Avoid using an excessive number of "significant figures" in calculations or data presentations, as it can falsely imply a higher level of accuracy than is actually supported by the measurements or methods used.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significant figures" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a technical term in mathematics and science. It refers to the digits in a number that contribute to its precision and is commonly used in contexts requiring accuracy and clarity, as evidenced by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "significant figures" is a commonly used phrase, especially in scientific and technical fields, to denote the digits in a number that contribute to its precision. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across various contexts. While primarily used in numerical contexts, it can also refer to important individuals depending on the subject matter. Related phrases include "significant digits", "key figures" and "prominent individuals". When using "significant figures" avoid overstating precision and always adhere to the rules for determining and representing them correctly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant digits

Replaces the word "figures" with "digits", which is more specific to numerical contexts.

key figures

Emphasizes the role of being central or essential.

critical numbers

Emphasizes the importance of certain numerical values in a given context.

notable individuals

Shifts the focus from numerical values to people who are important or distinguished.

prominent individuals

Stresses the quality of being well-known and important.

important people

A more general alternative referring to influential persons.

leading personalities

Highlights individuals who are prominent and influential.

influential people

Focuses on the power to affect or determine outcomes.

major players

Suggests involvement in a competitive or strategic setting.

substantial amounts

Highlights the size or quantity of numerical values.

FAQs

What are "significant figures" and why are they important?

"Significant figures", also known as significant digits, are the digits in a number that contribute to its precision. They're crucial in science and mathematics to accurately represent the certainty of a measurement or calculation.

How do you determine the number of "significant figures" in a number?

Non-zero digits are always significant. Zeros between non-zero digits are significant. Leading zeros are not significant, while trailing zeros are significant only if the number contains a decimal point. For more details check out "significant digits".

Can I use alternative phrases for "significant figures" in writing?

Yes, depending on the context. For numerical precision, you might use "significant digits". When referring to important people, consider "key figures" or "prominent individuals".

How do I round numbers to the correct number of "significant figures"?

Identify the last significant digit, then look at the next digit. If it's 5 or greater, round up the last significant digit; otherwise, leave it as is. Drop all digits after the last significant digit. For numbers referring to people, this concept isn't applicable.