In a calculation I have received a number of values in the range $1e4-1e6$. Now I would like to display the values with 3 significant figures according to the rules of using significant figures. But this causes some issues when the values vary in magnitude.
For instance, I have the values $34745$ and $211360$. It seems inconsistent to me to render these with 3 significant figures independently of each other, as $34700$ and $211000$, respectively.
On the other hand, choosing either as a baseline, rendering $35000$ and $211000$ or $34700$ and $211400$ seems to break the rules as well.
What is the standard course of action in this situation?
34700 , and 211000
is inconsistent? Would you think3.47E4
and2.11E5
ok ? $\endgroup$ – agentp Jan 13 '17 at 20:01