ASTM E29-13(2019)
(Practice)Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
ABSTRACT
This practice is intended to assist the various technical committees in the use of uniform methods of indicating the number of digits which are to be considered significant in specification limits, for example, specified maximum values and specified minimum values. This practice is also intended to be used in determining conformance with specifications when the applicable ASTM specifications or standards make a direct reference.
This practice describes absolute method and the rounding method. The absolute method applies where it is the intent that all digits in an observed value or a calculated value are to be considered significant for purposes of determining conformance with specifications, while the rounding method applies where it is the intent that a limited number of digits in an observed value or a calculated value are to be considered significant for purposes of determining conformance with specifications.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice is intended to assist the various technical committees in the use of uniform methods of indicating the number of digits which are to be considered significant in specification limits, for example, specified maximum values and specified minimum values. Its aim is to outline methods which should aid in clarifying the intended meaning of specification limits with which observed values or calculated test results are compared in determining conformance with specifications.
1.2 This practice is intended to be used in determining conformance with specifications when the applicable ASTM specifications or standards make direct reference to this practice.
1.3 Reference to this practice is valid only when a choice of method has been indicated, that is, either absolute method or rounding method.
1.4 The system of units for this practice is not specified. Dimensional quantities in the practice are presented only as illustrations of calculation methods. The examples are not binding on products or test methods treated.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
General Information
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Designation:E29 −13 (Reapproved 2019) An American National Standard
Standard Practice for
Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine
1
Conformance with Specifications
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationE29;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoptionor,inthecaseofrevision,theyearoflastrevision.Anumberinparenthesesindicatestheyearoflastreapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This practice is intended to assist the various technical
E177Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
committees in the use of uniform methods of indicating the
ASTM Test Methods
number of digits which are to be considered significant in
E456Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
specification limits, for example, specified maximum values
E2282Guide for Defining the Test Result of a Test Method
and specified minimum values. Its aim is to outline methods
IEEE/ASTMSI10Standard for Use of the International
which should aid in clarifying the intended meaning of
System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric System
specification limits with which observed values or calculated
test results are compared in determining conformance with
3. Terminology
specifications.
3.1 Definitions—Terminology E456 provides a more exten-
1.2 This practice is intended to be used in determining
sive list of terms in E11 standards.
conformance with specifications when the applicable ASTM
3.1.1 observed value, n—the value obtained by making an
specifications or standards make direct reference to this prac-
observation. E2282
tice.
3.1.2 repeatability conditions, n—conditions where inde-
1.3 Referencetothispracticeisvalidonlywhenachoiceof
pendent test results are obtained with the same method on
method has been indicated, that is, either absolute method or
identicaltestitemsinthesamelaboratorybythesameoperator
rounding method.
using the same equipment within short intervals of time. E177
1.4 The system of units for this practice is not speci-
3.1.3 repeatability standard deviation (s ), n—the standard
r
fied. Dimensional quantities in the practice are presented only
deviation of test results obtained under repeatability
as illustrations of calculation methods. The examples are not
conditions. E177
binding on products or test methods treated.
3.1.4 significant digit—any of the figures 0 through 9 that is
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
used with its place value to denote a numerical quantity to
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
some desired approximation, excepting all leading zeros and
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
some trailing zeros in numbers not represented with a decimal
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
point.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1.4.1 Discussion—This definition of significant digits re-
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor- lates to how the number is represented as a decimal. It should
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- not be inferred that a measurement value is precise to the
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the number of significant digits used to represent it.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- 3.1.4.2 Discussion—The digit zero may either indicate a
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical specific value or indicate place only. Zeros leading the first
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. nonzerodigitofanumberindicateorderofmagnitudeonlyand
are not significant digits. For example, the number 0.0034 has
two significant digits. Zeros trailing the last nonzero digit for
1
ThispracticeisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE11onQualityand
Statistics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E11.30 on Statistical
2
Quality Control. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2019. Published January 2019. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1940. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as E29–13. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E0029-13R19. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
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E29−13 (2019)
numbersrepresentedwithadecimalpointaresignificantdigits. 4.2 Section 7 of this practice gives guidelines for use in
For example, the numbers 1270. and 32.00 each have four r
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E29 − 13 E29 − 13 (Reapproved 2019) An American National Standard
Standard Practice for
Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine
1
Conformance with Specifications
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E29; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A superscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope*Scope
1.1 This practice is intended to assist the various technical committees in the use of uniform methods of indicating the number
of digits which are to be considered significant in specification limits, for example, specified maximum values and specified
minimum values. Its aim is to outline methods which should aid in clarifying the intended meaning of specification limits with
which observed values or calculated test results are compared in determining conformance with specifications.
1.2 This practice is intended to be used in determining conformance with specifications when the applicable ASTM
specifications or standards make direct reference to this practice.
1.3 Reference to this practice is valid only when a choice of method has been indicated, that is, either absolute method or
rounding method.
1.4 The system of units for this practice is not specified. Dimensional quantities in the practice are presented only as illustrations
of calculation methods. The examples are not binding on products or test methods treated.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
E2282 Guide for Defining the Test Result of a Test Method
IEEE/ASTM SI 10 Standard for Use of the International System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric System
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Terminology E456 provides a more extensive list of terms in E11 standards.
3.1.1 observed value, n—the value obtained by making an observation. E2282
3.1.2 repeatability conditions, n—conditions where independent test results are obtained with the same method on identical test
items in the same laboratory by the same operator using the same equipment within short intervals of time. E177
3.1.3 repeatability standard deviation (s ), n—the standard deviation of test results obtained under repeatability conditions.
r
E177
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E11 on Quality and Statistics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E11.30 on Statistical Quality
Control.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2013Jan. 1, 2019. Published August 2013January 2019. Originally approved in 1940. Last previous edition approved in 20082013 as
E29 – 08.E29 – 13. DOI: 10.1520/E0029-13.10.1520/E0029-13R19.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’sstandard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E29 − 13 (2019)
3.1.4 significant digit—any of the figures 0 through 9 that is used with its place value to denote a numerical quantity to some
desired approximation, excepting all leading zeros and some trailing zeros in numbers not represented with a decimal point.
3.1.4.1 Discussion—
This definition of significant digits relates to how the number is represented as a decimal. It should not be inferred that a
measurement value is precise to the number of signifi
...
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