Upon completion of this module, you should be able to understand the measurements to make the correct number of significant figures and understand the difference between accuracy and precision. There are two main kinds of numbers in science: measurements and non-measurements. Measurements are numbers determined using a measuring device such as a balance or ruler. Measuring 18.5 grams of iron filings on a balance is an example of measurement because a balance, a measuring device, was used. Non-measurements are numbers determined by counting or are numbers that are part of a definition. If five aluminum blocks were used in an experiment, the number 5 is a non-measurement because it was determined by counting.