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significant digit
noun
: any of the digits of a number beginning with the digit farthest to the left that is not zero and ending with the last digit farthest to the right that is either not zero or that is a zero but is considered to be exact
called also significant figure
Examples of significant digit in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
How many significant digits of these numbers can be trusted?
—Quanta Magazine, 26 Oct. 2016
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Word History
First Known Use
1923, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of significant digit was
in 1923
Dictionary Entries Near significant digit
Cite this Entry
“Significant digit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/significant%20digit. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
significant digit
noun
: any of the digits of a number beginning with the first digit on the left that is not zero and ending with the last on the right that is either not zero or that is a zero but is considered to be exact
called also significant figure
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