Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Significant digits: foundations, myths and utilization

D A Chambless1, J A Broadway

  • 1Department of Mathematics, Auburn University, Montgomery, AL 36117-3596, USA.

Health Physics
|August 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Response to Suchanek et al.

Health physics·1997
Same author

"Exact" and approximate methods for analysis of total error in radiation measurements.

Health physics·1994
Same author

Detection limit concepts: foundations, myths, and utilization.

Health physics·1992
Same author

Estimates of radiation dose and health risks to the United States population following the Chernobyl nuclear plant accident.

Health physics·1988
Same author

Calculation of 90Sr and 89Sr concentrations in environmental samples using a generalized linear system.

Health physics·1984
Same author

Fully automatic quantitative analysis of alpha-radiation spectral data using a minicomputer.

Health physics·1984

Commonly taught rules for significant digits in scientific computations are often incorrect. This study debunks these myths, showing the real behavior of significant digits in calculations and offering accurate guidance.

Area of Science:

  • Scientific Computation
  • Numerical Analysis
  • Data Interpretation

Background:

  • Textbooks and scientific literature often present inaccurate guidelines for significant digits in computations.
  • Established 'facts' regarding computational significance are frequently misconceptions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and debunk common myths about significant digits in scientific computation.
  • To illustrate the actual behavior of significant digits during calculations.
  • To provide evidence-based recommendations for handling significant digits accurately.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of common 'folklore' regarding significant digits.
  • Illustrative examples of computational scenarios.
  • Comparison of folklore with actual computational behavior.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • Many widely accepted rules for significant digits in scientific computation are demonstrably false.
  • Actual computational significance deviates from simplistic, commonly cited rules.
  • A typical scenario is presented to highlight these discrepancies.

Conclusions:

  • The folklore surrounding significant digits in scientific computation needs correction.
  • Accurate understanding and application of significant digits are crucial for reliable scientific results.
  • Revised recommendations are necessary for best practices in scientific data handling.