I asked my science-minded husband if 36.5 degrees and 36.50 degrees are different.

I received a comment on my rice note from my science-minded husband.

Thank you for all the various comments.

Regarding Shiro-panda's comment.
Oh my, as someone who is strictly liberal arts, I, Atsuko, didn't know how to answer.
Significant figures?

So, I asked my science-minded husband.
ーーーーー

Atsuko: "Are 36.5 degrees and 36.50 degrees different on a thermometer?"

Science-minded husband: "Of course 36.5 degrees and 36.50 degrees are different. However, you should consider the accuracy of the thermometer at the same time."

Accuracy...
Does that come up in daily conversation in your homes?

Atsuko: "??? (in a small voice)"
I don't really understand."

My science-minded husband quickly jotted down a note.

Science-minded husband: "When a thermometer displays 36.5 degrees, many people unconsciously think it is 36.50 degrees."

Atsuko: "Eh, is it different?"

Science-minded husband: "Generally, the range I wrote on this paper is often expressed as 36.5 degrees."

Atsuko: "Oh, I see."

Science-minded husband: "The problem is whether that thermometer even has the capability to measure to the second decimal place in the first place."

Atsuko: "..."

Science-minded husband: "There is no point in worrying about the second decimal place for a thermometer that only displays up to the first decimal place."

For some reason, Atsuko feltannoyedby this.
Atsuko: "Then when do you care about the second decimal place?"

Science-minded husband: "Do you know what BMI is?"
(Atsuko gets even more annoyed)

Atsuko: "I know. You divide weight by height, right? It shows the degree of obesity."

Science-minded husband jots down a note.

Science-minded husband: "Let's say your height is 154 centimeters and your weight is 58.6 kilograms. In this case" (jots down a note).

Science-minded husband: "Since it is over 24, you are a little obese. In this case, the height is expressed in meters, so the second decimal place is a significant figure."

Atsuko (getting serious): "Then, the third decimal place! You don't worry about the third decimal place, right?"

Science-minded husband: "You know about marathons, right? (answering seriously)"

Atsuko: "Ahhhhhh"

Science-minded husband: "It starts from understanding what kind of physical meaning it has.
It's not just about the second or third decimal place" (tries to jot down a note).

Atsuko: "That's enough" (snatches the note away).

I'm sure you all understand.

The distance of a marathon, 42.195 kilometers.

Shiro-panda, significant figures are scary, aren't they?
Thank you for your comment.