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Related Concept Videos

Uncertainty in Measurement: Significant Figures03:34

Uncertainty in Measurement: Significant Figures

All the digits in a measurement, including the uncertain last digit, are called significant figures or significant digits. Note that zero may be a measured value; for example, if a scale that shows weight to the nearest pound reads “140,” then the 1 (hundreds), 4 (tens), and 0 (ones) are all significant (measured) values.
Numerical Calculations01:24

Numerical Calculations

In engineering applications, the representation of the numerical value is critical. Presenting or reporting the answer is one of the essential parts of engineering practices. Numerical calculations are performed using handheld calculators or computers since numerically accurate answers are always preferred.
The solution to a problem is obtained using different methods. While manually solving algebraic symbols is one of the most common methods, the graphical method is often preferred. Computers...
Significant Figures in Calculations00:58

Significant Figures in Calculations

Uncertainty in measurements can be avoided by reporting the results of a calculation with the correct number of significant figures. This can be determined by the following rules for rounding numbers:
Testing a Claim about Standard Deviation01:19

Testing a Claim about Standard Deviation

A complete procedure to test a claim about population standard deviation or population variance is explained here.
The hypothesis testing for the claim of population standard deviation (or variance) requires the data and samples to be random and unbiased. The population distribution also must be normal. There is no specific requirement on the sample size as the estimation is based on the chi-square distribution.
As a first step, the hypothesis (null and alternative) concerning the claim about...
Regression Toward the Mean01:52

Regression Toward the Mean

Regression toward the mean (“RTM”) is a phenomenon in which extremely high or low values—for example, and individual’s blood pressure at a particular moment—appear closer to a group’s average upon remeasuring. Although this statistical peculiarity is the result of random error and chance, it has been problematic across various medical, scientific, financial and psychological applications. In particular, RTM, if not taken into account, can interfere when researchers try to extrapolate results...
Rules for Significant Figures01:44

Rules for Significant Figures

In any measurement, the precision of the measuring tool is an essential factor. An ordinary ruler, for example, can measure length to the closest millimeter; a caliper, on the other hand, can measure length to the nearest 0.01 mm. As a result, the caliper is a more precise measurement tool because it can measure extremely minute changes in length. The measurements will be more accurate if the measuring tool is more precise.
It should be emphasized that when we represent measured values, the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Measuring Delay Discounting in Humans Using an Adjusting Amount Task
07:47

Measuring Delay Discounting in Humans Using an Adjusting Amount Task

Published on: January 9, 2016

Is a fixed value for the least significant change appropriate?

Lisa Nelson1, Karen Y Gulenchyn1, Mark Atthey1

  • 1Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Canada.

Journal of Clinical Densitometry : the Official Journal of the International Society for Clinical Densitometry
|February 23, 2010
PubMed
Summary

The least significant change (LSC) for bone mineral density (BMD) varies by measurement site and technologist. Patient body size impacts spinal BMD LSC, while technologists influence femur BMD LSC, necessitating site-specific interpretation.

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Area of Science:

  • Medical Imaging
  • Orthopedics
  • Radiology

Background:

  • The least significant change (LSC) quantifies the smallest real change in bone mineral density (BMD).
  • LSC is crucial for accurate interpretation of BMD changes over time.
  • Understanding factors influencing LSC is vital for clinical decision-making.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if LSC for BMD differs between technologists.
  • To determine if patient body size affects LSC at different skeletal sites.
  • To highlight the need for site-specific LSC values.

Main Methods:

  • Eight technologists performed same-day in vivo BMD precision measurements.
  • Measurements were taken for the lumbar spine and proximal femur (total, trochanter, neck regions).
  • Patient body mass index (BMI) was correlated with LSC.

Main Results:

  • Spinal BMD precision did not differ between technologists.
  • Femoral BMD precision (total, trochanter, neck) showed inter-technologist variability.
  • Spinal LSC increased with higher BMI; femoral LSC was not significantly impacted by BMI.

Conclusions:

  • LSC for spinal BMD is patient-dependent (influenced by BMI).
  • LSC for femoral BMD is technologist-dependent.
  • A single LSC value is inadequate for interpreting BMD changes across different sites, risking misinterpretation.