Significant figures calculation

[Erik Max Francis]

Chris Angelico wrote:
> On Tue, Jun 28, 2011 at 12:56 PM, Steven D'Aprano
> <steve+comp.lang.python at 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.

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