Significant Figures

Significant Figures(Sig Figs) : 

Significant Figures(Sig Figs) Significant in science means “measured” Number of sig figs depends on the measuring instrument used Measurements should be made to the smallest division possible Final digit is an estimate You can estimate to the nearest tenth of the smallest marking

7 Rules for Determining the Number of Significant Figures in a Measurement : 

7 Rules for Determining the Number of Significant Figures in a Measurement

Rule 1: : 

Rule 1: All non-zero digits are significant. 45.2 198.47  3 Significant Figures (Sig Figs)  5 Sig Figs

Rule 2: : 

Rule 2: All zeroes between two non-zero digits are significant. 8,001 90,000,021.003  4 Sig Figs  11 Sig Figs

Rule 3: : 

Rule 3: Unless indicated, zeroes to the left of an understood decimal and the right of a non-zero digit are not significant. 8,000 450  1 Sig Fig  2 Sig Figs

Rule 4: : 

Rule 4: All zeroes to the left of an expressed decimal and the right of a non-zero digit are significant. 8,000. 450.  4 Sig Figs  3 Sig Figs

Rule 5: : 

Rule 5: All zeroes to the right of a decimal point and the left of a non-zero digit are not significant. .0032 .0005  2 Sig Figs  1 Sig Fig

Rule 6: : 

Rule 6: All zeroes to the right of a decimal point and the right of a non-zero digit are significant. 45.40 .800  4 Sig Figs  3 Sig Figs

Rule 7 : 

Rule 7 All zeroes to the left of a decimal point and the left of a non-zero digit are not significant. 0.56 0.431  2 Sig Figs  3 Sig Figs

Slide 10: 

Operations Using Significant Figures Multiplying and Dividing Answer may only contain as many sig figs as the value used in the problem that has the fewest # of sig figs. Adding and Subtracting Answer may contain only as many decimal places as the least accurate value used in the problem. For all types: Ignore Counted, exact, or defined numbers for determining sig figs in the final answer

Multiplication & Division with Significant Figures : 

Multiplication & Division with Significant Figures 5.000 × 3.91 × 14.20 = 981.20 ÷ 35.70 = 277.61 27.48459384 278 27.48 Pause the Presentation and complete the remaining example