Significant digits in intermediate answers

[purpledonkey]

Just wondering if anyone could clarify what qualifies as an intermediate answer. Is this limited to answers within the same calculation, or all the answers from steps leading to the final one?

ie. What is the current needed to produce 10.0g of lithium in 1.00h?

Step 1: Determine moles of Li and thus moles of e- involved.
Step 2: Multiply moles of e- by farads.
Step 3: Calculate the current.

So, are the answers to steps 1&2 considered 'final' and rounded to 3 digits, or intermediate and rounded to 3+1 extra?

 

[chemisttree]

Report the answer in 3 significant digits. Continue the calculation using 3+1 to minimize roundoff error and report the answer in 3 significant digits.

 

[Blueshift5]

I can clarify that intermediate answers refer to any calculations or steps that are performed in order to reach the final answer. This includes all answers from previous steps, not just the final calculation. In the example given, the answers from steps 1 and 2 would also be considered intermediate answers and should be rounded to the appropriate number of significant digits. The final answer should then be rounded to the appropriate number of significant digits based on the given data and the rules for significant figures. It is important to maintain the correct number of significant digits throughout all calculations in order to ensure accurate and precise results.