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Significant Figures

The document explains significant figures and scientific notation, detailing how to determine and use significant figures in measurements, including rules for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It emphasizes the importance of the last digit being uncertain and provides examples for clarity. Additionally, it covers converting numbers to and from scientific notation, highlighting the process for both large and small numbers.

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jayceepogi98765
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11 views27 pages

Significant Figures

The document explains significant figures and scientific notation, detailing how to determine and use significant figures in measurements, including rules for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It emphasizes the importance of the last digit being uncertain and provides examples for clarity. Additionally, it covers converting numbers to and from scientific notation, highlighting the process for both large and small numbers.

Uploaded by

jayceepogi98765
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Significant Figures

&
Scientific Notation
What are significant figures?
The significant figures in a
measurement consist of all the
digits known with certainty
plus one final digit, which is
uncertain or is estimated.
For example: Study the diagram below.

Using the ruler at the top of the diagram, what is the length of
the darker rectangle found in between the two rulers?

Answer: The length is between 4 and 5 cm. The “4” is certain, but the
distance past 4 cm will have to be estimated. A possible estimate might be
4.3. Both of these digits are significant. The first digit is certain and the
second digit is uncertain because it is an estimate.
Using the ruler at the bottom of the diagram, what is the length of the darker
rectangle found in between the two rulers?

Answer: The edge of the rectangle is between 4.2 cm and 4.3 cm.
We are certain about the 4.2, but the next digit will have to be
estimated. As possible estimation might be 4.27. All three digits
would be significant. The first two digits are certain and the last
digit is uncertain.
Let’s try graduated cylinders
• Look at the graduated cylinder below

• What can you read with confidence?


• 56 ml
• Now estimate the last digit
• 56.0 ml
Please remember…
The last digit in a
measurement is always
the uncertain digit.

It is significant even if it
is not certain.

The more significant


digits a value has, the
more accurate the
measurement will be.
Rules for Significant figures
Rule #1
• All non zero digits are ALWAYS
significant
• How many significant digits are in the
following numbers?
274 3 Significant Figures

25.632 5 Significant Digits

8.987 4 Significant Figures


Rule #2
• All zeros between nonzero digits are
ALWAYS significant
• How many significant digits are in the
following numbers?
504 3 Significant Figures

60002 5 Significant Digits

9.077 4 Significant Figures


Rule #3
• All FINAL zeros to the right of the
decimal ARE significant or All zeros to
the right of a decimal point and to the
right of a non-zero digit ARE significant.
• How many significant digits are in the
following numbers?
32.0 3 Significant Figures

19.000 5 Significant Digits

105.0020 7 Significant Figures


Rule #4
• All zeros that act as place holders are
NOT significant
• Another way to say this is: zeros are
only significant if they are between
significant digits OR are the very final
thing at the end of a decimal
For example
How many significant digits are in the following numbers?

0.0002 1 Significant Digit


6.02 x 1023 3 Significant Digits
100.000 6 Significant Digits
150000 2 Significant Digits
800 1 Significant Digit
Rule for Addition and Subtraction
When adding or subtracting, round the sum or difference
so that it has the same number of decimal places as the
measurement having the fewest decimal places.

Example: Add 369.3389 + 17.24

First simply add the two numbers. Answer = 386.5789

17.24 had the fewest number of decimal places with 2 places past the
decimal. The above answer will have to be rounded to two places past the
decimal.

Rounded Answer = 386.58


Find the sum or difference of the following and
round them to the correct number of digits.
Answers
a) 39.61 – 17.3
a) 22.3

b) 1.97 + 2.700 b) 4.67

c) 56
c) 100.8 – 45
d) 300.0
d) 296.0 + 3.9876
Rule for Multiplication and Division
Express a product or a quotient to the same number of
significant figures as the multiplied or divided
measurement having the fewer significant figures.

Example: Multiply 6.99 x .25

First simply multiply the two numbers. Answer = 1.7475

.25 had the fewest number of significant digits with 2. The above answer
will have to be rounded to two significant digits.

Rounded Answer = 1.7


Multiply or divide the following and give your
answer in the correct number of significant digits.
Answers

a) 4.7929  4.9 a) 0.98

b) 5 x 3.999
b) 20
c) 84  .09
c) 900
d) .815 x 215.7
d) 176
Rounding Rule #4
• If the number to the immediate right of the
last significant is a 5, and that 5 is followed by
a zero, you look at the last significant digit
and make it even.
• 2.5350 (want 3 significant digits)
• The number to the right of the digit you want
is a 5 followed by a 0
• Therefore you want the final digit to be even
• 2.54
Say you have this number
• 2.5250 (want 3 significant digits)
• The number to the right of the digit you
want is a 5 followed by a 0
• Therefore you want the final digit to be
even and it already is
• 2.52
Let’s try these examples…
200.99 (want 3 SF) 201

18.22 (want 2 SF) 18

135.50 (want 3 SF) 136

0.00299 (want 1 SF) 0.003

98.59 (want 2 SF) 99


Scientific Notation
• Scientific notation is used to express
very large or very small numbers
• It consists of a number between 1 & 10
followed by x 10 to an exponent
• The exponent can be determined by the
number of decimal places you have to
move to get only 1 number in front of
the decimal
Large Numbers
• If the number you start with is greater than 1,
the exponent will be positive
• Write the number 39000in scientific notation
• First move the decimal until 1 number is in
front – 3.9000
• Now at x 10 – 3.9000 x 10
• Now count the number of decimal places that
you moved (4)
• Since the number you started with was
greater than 1, the exponent will be positive
• 3.9 x 10 4
Small Numbers
• If the number you start with is less than 1, the
exponent will be negative
• Write the number 0.0052 in scientific notation
• First move the decimal until 1 number is in
front – 5.2
• Now at x 10 – 5.2 x 10
• Now count the number of decimal places that
you moved (3)
• Since the number you started with was less
than 1, the exponent will be negative
• 5.2 x 10 -3
Activity 1. Scientific Notation
Examples
Place the following numbers in scientific notation:

5 170 000

4 000.1

0.000375

0.0234

94 200 .1
Going from Scientific Notation
to Ordinary Notation
• You start with the number and move the
decimal the same number of spaces as
the exponent.
• If the exponent is positive, the number
will be greater than 1
• If the exponent is negative, the number
will be less than 1
Activity 2.Going to Ordinary
Notation Examples
Place the following numbers in ordinary notation:

3 x 106
6.26x 109
5 x 10-4
8.45 x 10-7
2.25 x 103
Calculations
Calculations

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