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Groups > comp.lang.python > #8520

Re: Significant figures calculation

Date 2011-06-27 20:45 -0700
From Erik Max Francis <max@alcyone.com>
Organization Alcyone Systems
Newsgroups comp.lang.python
Subject Re: Significant figures calculation
References (3 earlier) <iu5bgk01v0@news2.newsguy.com> <db874e1f-a827-459c-aa22-5b915e70b682@a11g2000yqm.googlegroups.com> <mailman.463.1309207197.1164.python-list@python.org> <4e0942d1$0$29987$c3e8da3$5496439d@news.astraweb.com> <mailman.466.1309231012.1164.python-list@python.org>
Message-ID <pfSdnd1Y2YLS05TTnZ2dnUVZ5hidnZ2d@giganews.com> (permalink)

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Chris Angelico wrote:
> On Tue, Jun 28, 2011 at 12:56 PM, Steven D'Aprano
> <steve+comp.lang.python@pearwood.info> wrote:
>> Zero sig figure: 0

That's not really zero significant figures; without further 
qualification, it's one.

> Is 0.0 one sig fig or two?

Two.

> (Just vaguely curious. Also curious as to
> whether a zero sig figures value is ever useful.)

Yes.  They're order of magnitude estimates.  1 x 10^6 has one 
significant figure.  10^6 has zero.

-- 
Erik Max Francis && max@alcyone.com && http://www.alcyone.com/max/
  San Jose, CA, USA && 37 18 N 121 57 W && AIM/Y!M/Skype erikmaxfrancis
   I would have liked to have seen Montana.
    -- Cpt. Vasily Borodin

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Thread

Significant figures calculation Harold <dadapapa@googlemail.com> - 2011-06-24 13:05 -0700
  Re: Significant figures calculation Steven D'Aprano <steve+comp.lang.python@pearwood.info> - 2011-06-24 20:46 +0000
    Re: Significant figures calculation Jerry Hill <malaclypse2@gmail.com> - 2011-06-24 16:58 -0400
      Re: Significant figures calculation steve+comp.lang.python@pearwood.info - 2011-06-25 10:31 +1000
      Re: Significant figures calculation Chris Torek <nospam@torek.net> - 2011-06-25 19:04 +0000
        Re: Significant figures calculation Harold <dadapapa@googlemail.com> - 2011-06-26 08:35 -0700
          Re: Significant figures calculation Dave Angel <davea@ieee.org> - 2011-06-27 08:04 -0400
        Re: Significant figures calculation Harold <dadapapa@googlemail.com> - 2011-06-27 06:40 -0700
          Re: Significant figures calculation Ethan Furman <ethan@stoneleaf.us> - 2011-06-27 13:53 -0700
            Re: Significant figures calculation Steven D'Aprano <steve+comp.lang.python@pearwood.info> - 2011-06-28 12:56 +1000
              Re: Significant figures calculation Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> - 2011-06-28 13:16 +1000
                Re: Significant figures calculation Erik Max Francis <max@alcyone.com> - 2011-06-27 20:45 -0700
                Re: Significant figures calculation Mel <mwilson@the-wire.com> - 2011-06-28 07:47 -0400
                Re: Significant figures calculation Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> - 2011-06-28 21:57 +1000
                Re: Significant figures calculation Erik Max Francis <max@alcyone.com> - 2011-06-28 11:54 -0700
                Re: Significant figures calculation Mel <mwilson@the-wire.com> - 2011-06-28 16:47 -0400
                Re: Significant figures calculation Erik Max Francis <max@alcyone.com> - 2011-06-28 14:01 -0700
                Re: Significant figures calculation Steven D'Aprano <steve+comp.lang.python@pearwood.info> - 2011-06-28 18:35 +1000
                Re: Significant figures calculation Erik Max Francis <max@alcyone.com> - 2011-06-28 11:59 -0700
              Re: Significant figures calculation Erik Max Francis <max@alcyone.com> - 2011-06-27 20:49 -0700
          Re: Significant figures calculation Ethan Furman <ethan@stoneleaf.us> - 2011-06-27 15:58 -0700
    Re: Significant figures calculation Harold <dadapapa@googlemail.com> - 2011-06-24 18:50 -0700

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