Scientific Notation and Significant Figures: Lesson 1.2

Unit 1: Physical Quantities and Measurements

Lesson 1.2
Scientific Notation and Significant Figures

Contents

Introduction 1
Learning Objectives 2
Warm Up 2
Learn about It! 3

Scientific Notation 4
Addition and Subtraction of Scientific Notation 5
Multiplication and Division with Scientific Notation 11
Significant Figures 16
Addition and Subtraction with Significant Figures 17
Multiplication and Division with Significant Figures 21
Key Points 25
Key Formula 26
Check Your Understanding 26
Challenge Yourself 28
Photo Credit 29
Bibliography 29
Key to Try It! 30


Lesson 1.2
Scientific Notation and Significant Figures
Introduction
In science, we deal with very large and very small numbers. For example, the distance of
the most distant galaxy yet seen in the universe, MACS0647-JD, is 13 700 000 000
light-years. It was discovered using natural zoom lenses to observe distant galaxies in the
universe. The smallest known organism is a minuscule microbe called Nanoarchaeum
equitans with cells that are 0.000000400 meters in diameter. In the past lesson, you learned
that prefixes could be used to report very large and very small numbers. Aside from using
prefixes, how are numbers expressed so that one does not need to write all the values
included? How will you know how many numbers to include in your final answer during
calculations? In this lesson, you will learn about scientific notation and significant figures
and its importance in the field of science.

1.2. Scientific Notation and Significant Figures 1


Learning Objectives DepEd Competency

● Solve measurement problems
In this lesson, you should be able to do the involving expression of
measurements in scientific
following:
notation
● Discuss the importance of (STEM-GP12EU-Ia-1).

scientific notation and significant

figures.
● Write measurements in scientific

notation and the correct number
of significant figures.
● Solve measurement problems
using scientific notation and the
correct number of significant
figures.
Warm Up
Pass the Number! 10 minutes

This activity introduces concepts of scientific notation and significant figures.

Materials
● pen/pencil
● any sheet of paper

Procedure
1. Divide the class into three groups.
2. Each group should stand in a straight line.
3. The teacher will give a quantity to all the first students in each group at the same
time. Some example of quantities that can be given are:



a. speed of light in a vacuum = 299 792 458 m/s
b. current world population = 7 750 784 000
c. mass of Earth = 5 972 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 kg
d. diameter of a red blood cell = 0.000008 μm
e. mass of dust particle = 0.00000000075 kg
4. The first person in the line whispers the number to the next person.
5. All players whisper the number to the next person until it reaches the last person in
line.
6. The last player writes the number on a sheet of paper. The original form of the
number should be written on the paper. Students are not allowed to use any
shortcuts or shorthand notation.
7. The teacher collects and checks the number written on the paper.
8. The group with the highest score after the game wins.

Guide Questions
1. What are the difficulties you encountered during the game? Were you able to
correctly report the number/quantity?
2. What are ways you can think of to easily but correctly express the quantities?
3. What are the advantages of using scientific notation?

Learn about It!

Science involves different quantities which are used not only in the scientific field but also in
everyday situations. Some quantities are presented in simple experiments in school
laboratories, in measurement details needed in construction, and even in measurements
done in stores and supermarkets. Experiments in high-end laboratories contain a lot of
measurements as well. Some of the quantities being reported are very small or very large
since most of the measuring devices are sensitive enough to measure up to the smallest
detail. Ease and accuracy in reporting these values are critical to correctly communicate
data from experiments not only to other scientists but also to the whole community. Let us
take a closer look at how these values are written and reported.



Scientific Notation
Very large and very small numbers can be expressed using scientific notation, sometimes
called p
owers-of-10 notation. All numbers can be expressed in the form of Equation 1.1.

Equation 1.1

where N is a number between 1 and 10. It can either be an integer or decimal. On the other
hand, a is any positive or negative integer.

How do you write numbers in scientific notation?

To write a given quantity into scientific notation, move the decimal point until the new form
follows the format in Equation 1.1. N should be any number from 1 to 9. The exponent, a,
should reflect how many times the decimal point is moved. The power of 10 can either be
positive or negative, depending on whether you move the decimal point to the left or to the
right. Moving the decimal point to the left makes the exponent positive while moving it to
the right makes it negative. In the standard form of scientific notation, N should only
include one digit to the left of the decimal point.

Let us try to write the following example in scientific notation: The temperature at the core
of the sun is 15 700 000 K.
1. Move the decimal point to get a number, N, between the digits 1 and 5. Since the
given quantity is a whole number, it is understood that its decimal point is located at
its end. So, N = 1.57.
2. Determine the exponent, a. This depends on the number of times you move the
decimal point. In the example, the decimal is moved seven times to the left, making
the exponent positive. Therefore, a =
7.
3. Write the number in the correct scientific notation following the format above.
Therefore, 15 700 000 K is equal to 1.57 ✕ 107 K.



Let us take a look at another example: The radius of a hydrogen atom is 0.000000000025 m.
Following the similar steps above:
1. Move the decimal point to determine N. In the example, move the decimal point to
the right between 2 and 5 to determine N. So, N = 2.5.
2. Determine the exponent. In this example, the decimal point is moved 11 times to the
right, making the exponent negative. Therefore, a = −11.
3. Write the number in the correct scientific notation form. Therefore, 0.000000000025
m is equivalent to 2.5 ✕ 10−11 m.

Did You Know?

Archimedes (287–212 B.C.) was a Greek inventor and
mathematician, who used his knowledge in mathematics to
calculate the number of grains of sand in the universe for King
Gelon. According to his calculation, it is equivalent to 1, followed by
63 zeros. He used Greek letter numerals to write it since the
modern number system and scientific notation were not invented
yet at that time. The idea of Archimedes’ universe is different from
our known universe today, and although it is impossible to calculate
the grains of sand in the universe, this story showed how long
scientists are interested in quantifying the properties of the
universe. It also showed the importance of scientific notation in
expressing very small and very large quantities.

Addition and Subtraction of Scientific Notation
To add and subtract quantities in scientific notation, you need to make sure first that the
expressions have similar terms. It means that the quantities have the same base numbers
and exponents. This rule is important because it makes sure that all the places of the values
are lined up accordingly.



How do you add and subtract numbers in scientific

notation?

Suppose you are required to add the following masses: 5.5 ✕ 103 kg and 3.6 ✕ 103 kg. This
can be calculated by using the distributive property of multiplication. The common factor
103, can be factored out as follows.
1. Begin by factoring out the common factor 103.
2. Add N accordingly and make sure that it follows the standard form of the scientific
notation.
Now, what if the exponents are not the same? Let us take a look at another example. Add
the masses of the two vehicles 5.5 ✕ 103 kg and 3.6 ✕ 105 kg.
Since the exponents a, differ for both quantities, the problem should be modified first
before factoring using the exponent property, bm ✕ bn = b(m+n). Rewrite the quantity with the
larger exponent that can be separated into several factors.
1. Rewrite first the powers of 10 with a larger exponent to make it similar to the other
powers of 10. In the example, 105 can be rewritten as 102 ✕ 103. Therefore, 3.6 ✕ 103
kg can be rewritten as
This method is similar to moving the decimal point two places to the right in 3.6 ✕
105 kg to get 360 ✕ 103 kg.



2. Factor out the common factor from the two quantities you are adding.
3. Add N accordingly and make sure that the final answer follows the standard form of
the scientific notation.
The combined mass of the two vehicles is 3.655 ✕ 105 kg.
emember
R
Note that N should be a number between 1 and 10. Move the
decimal point accordingly to follow the standard form of the
scientific notation.
Subtraction of quantities in scientific notation follows the same rules as addition. The
powers of ten should have the same exponents before factoring it out and subtracting N
accordingly. Again, make sure that the final answer follows the standard form of scientific
notation.
Let us look at one example with different exponents for powers of ten. Suppose you are
required to subtract 4.5 ✕ 102 kg from 6.3 ✕ 105 kg.
1. Since they have different exponents for powers of ten, rewrite the one with the
larger exponent to match the exponent of the smaller quantity as follows.
2. Factor out the common factor 102 from the quantities you are subtracting.



3. Subtract N accordingly and write the final answer in the standard form of the
The difference between the two masses is 6.2955 ✕ 105 kg.
Let's Practice!
Example 1
Magaling, Malingap, Masipag are three adjacent barangays. Brgy. Magaling is 7.0 ✕ 103 m
away from Brgy. Malingap. On the other hand, the distance between Brgy. Malingap to Brgy.
Masipag is 1.2 ✕ 103 m. What is the total distance between Brgy. Magaling and Brgy,
Masipag?

Solution
Step 1: Identify the given in the problem.
The distance between Brgy. Magaling and Brgy. Malingap is 7.0 ✕ 103 m, while the
distance between Brgy. Malingap to Brgy. Masipag is 1.2 ✕ 103 m.

Step 2: Identify what is being asked in the problem.
You are asked to calculate the total distance between Brgy. Magaling and Brgy.
Masipag.

Step 3: Factor out the common factor 103 from the two quantities.

Step 4: Add N accordingly and make sure to write it in the standard form of scientific
notation.

The total distance between Brgy. Malingap and Brgy. Masipag is 8.2 ✕ 103 m.



1 Try It!
Leo stored water in two large containers containing 2.50 ✕ 104 mL and 5.10 ✕ 104
mL. He used 3.00 ✕ 104 mL to wash the dishes and clean the kitchen countertop.
How much water was left for his consumption?
Example 2
How much heavier is a 9.50 ✕ 106 kg truck compared to a 6.56 ✕ 103-kg car?

Solution
The mass of the truck is 9.50 ✕ 106 kg, while the car’s mass is 6.56 ✕ 103 kg.

You are asked to calculate the difference between the mass of the truck and the
car.

Step 3: Rewrite the quantity with the larger exponent to match the exponent of the
smaller quantity.


Step 5: Subtract N
accordingly and write the final answer in the standard form of

The truck is heavier by 9.49344 ✕ 106 kg than the car.



2 Try It!
How much time did Ashley spend jogging around the academic oval for three
consecutive Saturdays if she recorded the following run times: 1.26 ✕ 104 s, 9.00 ✕
103 s, and 7.74 ✕ 103 s?
Example 3
How much further from the sun is a hypothetical Planet X than Earth if Earth is
approximately 9.3 ✕ 107 miles from the sun while Planet X is approximately 8.873 ✕ 109
miles from Earth? Express your final answer in km.

Solution
Earth is 9.3 ✕ 107 miles from the sun, while Planet X is 8.873 ✕ 109 miles away
from Earth.

You are asked to calculate the distance of Planet X from the sun in km.

Step 3: Rewrite the quantity with the larger exponent to match the exponent of the
smaller quantity.


Step 5: Subtract N
accordingly and write the final answer in the standard form of



Step 6: Convert miles to meters given that the conversion factor is 1 mi = 1.609 km

Planet X is farther from the sun than Earth by 1.41 ✕ 1010 km.

3 Try It!

The diameters of three quartz crystals observed in the microscope are as follows:
3.5 ✕ 10−5 m, 1.7 ✕ 10−6 m, and 8.5 ✕ 10−4 m. What is the total diameter of all the
three crystals in μm?

Multiplication and Division with Scientific Notation

How do you multiply and divide numbers in

scientific notation?

In multiplying quantities expressed in scientific notation, N and a are calculated separately.
N is multiplied while the exponents, a
, are added.
Let us look at this example. Suppose you are asked to calculate the area of a field with
dimensions of 1.5 ✕ 102 m and 2.1 ✕ 104 m.
1. Begin by multiplying the N o

f each quantity.
2. Then add the exponents a, of the powers of 10.



3. Combine the new N and the new exponent a of 10. Write it in the standard form of
The area of the field is 3.15 ✕ 106 m2.
Similar to multiplication, N and a should also be calculated separately to divide quantities in

scientific notation. N
s are divided as is while the exponents a
are subtracted.
Suppose you are asked to divide 2.1 ✕ 104 m by 1.5 ✕ 102 m.
1. Start by dividing N
.
2. Then subtract the exponent in the denominator from the exponent in the
numerator.
3. Combine the new N and the new exponent a of 10. Write it in the standard form of
emember
R
In multiplication involving scientific notation, the exponents of
powers of ten are added while in division, the exponents are
subtracted.



Let's Practice!
Example 4
Calculate the floor area of a large conference hall with a width of 4.20 ✕ 102 m and a length
of 9.50 ✕ 102 m.

Solution
The floor has a width of 4.20 ✕ 102 m and a length of 9.50 ✕ 102 m.

You are asked to calculate the floor area of the conference hall.

Step 3: Since you are asked to calculate the area, simply multiply the given length and
width. Begin by multiplying the N
of both quantities.

Step 4: Add the exponents.

Step 5: Combine the new N and the new a
. Write it in the standard form of scientific
notation.

The area of the conference hall is 3.99 ✕ 105 m2.

4 Try It!
How many 1.50 ✕ 102-cm long sticks fit in an 8.70 ✕ 102-cm long space?



Example 5
Pressure is defined as force divided by the unit area. How much pressure is experienced by
a 2.50 ✕ 102-m2 concrete floor if a 1.75 ✕ 105 N truck is placed on top of it?

Solution
The area of the concrete floor is 2.50 ✕ 102-m2. The weight of the truck is 1.75 ✕
105 N.

You are asked to calculate the pressure exerted by the truck on the concrete floor.

Step 3: D
ivide the N of both quantities.

Step 4: Subtract the exponent in the denominator from the exponent in the
numerator.

notation.

The pressure experienced by the concrete floor is 7.0 ✕ 102 N/m2.

5 Try It!
Calculate the density of an empty 4.75 ✕ 10−2 kg styrofoam if its volume is 2.10 ✕
103 m3. Note that density is the mass of an object divided by its volume.



Example 6
Speed is calculated from the distance covered by the vehicle divided by the time it took to
cover the said distance. How fast is the car moving in m/s if it traveled 3.60 ✕ 104 km for
8.20 ✕ 105 s?

Solution
The car traveled at a distance of 3.60 ✕ 104 km. The time it took to cover the said
distance is 8.20 ✕ 105 s.

You are asked to calculate the speed of the car.

Step 3: Divide the N of both quantities.

Step 4: Subtract the exponent in the denominator from the exponent in the
numerator.

notation.

Step 6: Convert km/s to m/s given that the 1 km =1000 m

The car is moving at a speed of 43.90 m/s.



6 Try It!
Force is the product of mass and acceleration with an SI unit of N or kg m/s2. What is
the force applied by a 7.48 ✕ 106-g vehicle moving with an acceleration of 3.24 ✕ 104
km/h2?

Significant Figures
In the previous discussion, you noticed that even if the answers are already written in
scientific notation, some of the final answers still contain a lot of numbers. Not all of these
digits in the numbers should be recorded since not all of them are essential.
What is the importance of writing quantities in

correct significant figures?

Measurement values depend only on the accuracy of the equipment used to collect them.
For example, using a meter stick to measure a meter is accurate, but using it to measure a
millimeter is not. A significant figure is a reliably known digit. Significant figures help in
accurately reporting values that the measurement equipment is capable of determining.
Significant figures are characterized by the fewest digits used in reporting values without
losing accuracy. The number of significant figures increases as the accuracy of the
equipment also increases.

Once the number of significant figures is already determined, you can appropriately round
numbers off. This is necessary to determine the final number of significant figures. If the last
digit that will be removed is greater than 5, increase the last digit that is retained by one. On
the other hand, if the last digit that will be removed is less than 5, retain the last digit as is.

There are several rules in order to identify the significant figures in a measurement.
1. Nonzero digits are always significant.
2. Zeros between significant digits are considered significant. For example, 1 005 has
four significant figures.



3. Only the final zero and trailing zeros following a decimal point are considered
significant. For example, 52 000 has only two significant figures, while 0.600 has three
significant figures.
4. Zeros that appear before the nonzero digit are not significant. For example, 0.0005
has only one significant figure.

It is important to note that there are instances when the trailing zeros in a whole number
can lead to some misinterpretations. For example, suppose that the distance between the
two towns is 3 500 m. The two zeros may either represent significant figures or simply
indicate the position of the decimal point.

Scientific notation is used to correctly express the number of significant figures to avoid any
misinterpretations. If the measured values have two significant figures, 3500 m can be
expressed instead as 3.5 ✕ 103 m, 3.50 ✕ 103 m if there are three significant figures, and
3.500 ✕ 103 m if there are four. In the same way, 0.0002 m can be expressed in scientific
notation as 2.0 ✕ 10−4 m if it has two significant figures and 2.00 ✕ 10−4 m if it has three.

Addition and Subtraction with Significant Figures

How do you add and subtract quantities using the

correct number of significant figures?

The number of significant figures in the sum or difference is the same as that of the least
accurate measurement. First, count the number of significant figures in the decimal portion
only of each quantity in the problem. Simply add or subtract the numbers. The final answer
must contain the same number of decimal places as the least accurate measurement. Least
accurate measurement refers to the quantity with the l east number of decimal places.

For example, you are asked to solve the following: 501.02 m + 61.1 m. Begin by determining
the number of significant figures in the decimal portion. In our example, 501.02 m has two
significant figures after the decimal point, while 61.1 m has only one significant figure after
the decimal point. The final answer should contain the same number of significant decimal



places as the least accurate measurement. The least accurate measurement contains only
one significant decimal place. Therefore, the final answer should only contain one decimal
place. Without using significant figures, 501.02 m + 61.1 m = 562.12 m. If the rule of
significant figures is applied, the sum would be 562.1 m. The same rules are followed in
subtraction.

emember
R
In addition and subtraction, focus on the number of decimal places
instead of the number of significant figures.

Let's Practice!
Example 7
What is the sum of 90 cm and 21.5 cm using the correct significant figures?

Solution

The two quantities given are 90 cm and 21.5 cm.

You are asked to calculate the sum of the quantities using the correct number of

Step 3: Count the number of decimal places in each quantity.
90 cm → zero decimal place
21.5 cm → one decimal place

Step 4: Get the sum of the two quantities.



Step 5: Express the final answer by following the least number of decimal places.
Round off accordingly.
112 cm

7 Try It!
A student measured the height of her three plants. She got 9.2 cm, 10 cm, and 5.22
cm. What is the total length of all the plants?
Example 8
The length of a wooden plank that will be used in a cabinet is 15.250 m. However, the
carpenter only needs 9.5 m for the cabinet. How long should be cut from the plank before it
can be used?

Solution
The two quantities given are 15.250 m and 9.5 m.

You are asked to calculate the difference between two quantities using the correct
number of significant figures.

15.250 m → three decimal places
9.5 m → one decimal place

Step 4: Get the difference between the two quantities.

Step 5: Express the final answer following the least number of decimal places. Round
off accordingly.
5.8 m



8 Try It!
A farmer has a total of 330.25 kg of rice harvested. He decided to sell 250.1 kg of rice
to pay off his debts. How much rice was left for his family’s everyday consumption?
Example 9
Alex owns a rectangular lot that has dimensions of 75 m by 26.5 m. Justin, his friend, also
owns a lot with dimensions 91.40 m by 15.500 m. They decided to put a net around their
lots and bought a total of 0.355-km long net. How much net (in meters) is still needed to
cover the two lots completely?

The quantities given are 75 m, 26.5 m, 91.40 m, 15.500 m, and 0.355 km.

You are asked to calculate how much net (in meters) is needed to cover the lots of
Alex and Justin while considering the correct number of significant figures.

For Alex’s lot:
75 m → 0 decimal place
26.5 m → 1 decimal place

For Justin’s lot:
91.40 m → 2 decimal places
15.500 m → 3 decimal places
Total length of the net bought:
0.355 km → 3 decimal places

Step 4: Calculate the perimeter of both Alex’s and Justin’s lots.
Alex’s lot:
Justin’s lot:



Step 5: Convert 0.355 km to m considering that the 1 km = 1000 m.

Step 6: Subtract the length of the net bought from the sum of the two lot’s
perimeters.

Step 7: Express the final answer following the least number of decimal places. Round
off accordingly.
62 m of the net is still needed to cover the two lots completely.

9 Try It!
A farmer has brought 7.0 ✕ 102 g of rice, 0.982 kg of tomatoes, and 4.10 ✕ 103 g of
calamansi from his farm to sell in the market. What is the total mass of all his
products in kg?
Tips
During calculations, it is strongly advised to reserve the rounding off
numbers at the last step, when the final answer has already been
calculated. This will lessen errors in your calculations.

Multiplication and Division with Significant Figures

How do you multiply and divide numbers using the

correct significant figures?

The number of significant figures in the product or quotient is the same as that of the least
accurate measurement. Determine first the number of significant figures in any given
quantity in the problem. Simply divide and multiply as how you do it normally. The final



answer must contain the same number of significant figures as the least accurate
measurement. Least accurate measurement refers to the quantity with the least number
of significant figures.

Let us look at an example, suppose you are asked to multiply the two quantities 501.02 m ✕
61.1 m. Determine the number of significant figures for each quantity first. 501.02 m has
five significant figures, while 61.1 m has three significant figures. After multiplying the two
quantities, the final answer should contain three significant figures. Without using significant
figures, 501.02 m ✕ 61.1 m = 30 623.32 m2. If the rule of the significant figure is applied, the
product would be 30 600 m2. The same rules are followed in division.

emember
R
In division and multiplication, the final answer should have no more
significant figures than the quantity with the least number of

How do you define least accurate measurements in

addition (or subtraction) and in multiplication (or

division)?

Let's Practice!
Example 10
During a physics experiment, a student multiplied the mass of an object with its acceleration
to get the force. What would be the force if the mass of the object is 0.250 kg while its
acceleration is 0.012 m/s2?

Solution
The mass of the object is 0.250 kg, and its acceleration is 0.012 m/s2.



You are asked to multiply the mass of the object with its acceleration while
considering the correct number of significant figures.

0.250 → 3 significant figures
0.012 → 2 significant figures

Step 4: Calculate the product of the two quantities.

Step 5: Express the final answer by following the least number of significant figures.
0.0030 kg m/s2 or 3.0 ✕ 10-3 kg m/s2

10 Try It!

Calculate the density of a book with a mass of 0.32 kg and a volume of 0.2 m3.
Example 11
Einstein’s famous equation E = mc2 calculates the rest energy E of an object with a rest mass
while c is the speed of light in a vacuum (2.99792458 ✕ 108 m/s). Calculate E for an electron
with a mass of 9.11 ✕ 10-31 kg. The SI unit of E is the joule (J).

Solution
The mass of the electron is 9.11 ✕ 10-31 kg and the speed of light in vacuum is
2.99792458 ✕ 108 m/s.



You are asked to calculate the E of the electron while considering the correct
number of significant figures.

2.99792458 ✕ 108 m/s → 9 significant figures
9.11 ✕ 10-31 kg. → 3 significant figures

Step 4: Calculate E.

8.19 ✕ 10-14 J
The E of an electron in 8.19 ✕ 10-14 J.

11 Try It!

Work is defined as the product of force and displacement of the object and has an
SI unit of joule (J). How much work is done if three boxes, each with a mass of 5.510
kg, is lifted upstairs at a height of 3 meters?
Example 12
How fast is the bus moving in m/s if it traveled 1.35 ✕ 102 miles for 4.5 hours?

Solution
The bus covered a distance of 1.35 ✕ 102 miles. The time it took the bus to cover
the said distance is 4.5 hours.

You are asked to calculate the speed of the bus in m/s while considering the
correct number of significant figures.



1.35 ✕ 102 miles → 3 significant figures
5.0 hours → 2 significant figures

Step 4: Calculate the speed.

Step 5: Convert the final answer from mi/h to m/s.

The bus is moving at a speed of 12 m/s.

12 Try It!

How much pressure is being applied on a 4.500-cm2 piston if a box is placed on top
of it with a weight of 8.01 ✕ 103 N? Express your final answer in N/m2.

ey Points
K
___________________________________________________________________________________________

● Scientific notation is used to express very small and very large numbers.
● It follows a format of N ✕ 10a, where N is any number between 1 and 10, while a
can be a negative or a positive number.
● In addition and subtraction, Ns are added accordingly while the powers of 10 are
factored out. Powers of ten should have similar terms before proceeding to
addition and subtraction.
● In multiplication and division, N and a are calculated separately. Ns are multiplied
or divided accordingly. Exponents a are added in multiplication, and are subtracted
in division.



● A significant figure is a reliably known digit. It is used to express the measurement
values accurately.
● During addition and subtraction, the sum and the difference should have the same
number of decimal places as the quantity with the least number of decimal places.
● During multiplication and division, the product and the quotient should have the
same number of significant figures as the quantity with the fewest number of
___________________________________________________________________________________________

ey Formula
K
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Concept Formula Description
Scientific Notation Use this standard form as a

reference when writing
numbers in scientific

notation.
where:
● N i s a number between 1
and 10
● a is the power of 10, which
can either be a positive or
a negative number

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Check Your Understanding

A. Write true if the statement is correct. Otherwise, write f alse.
__________ 1. Very large and very small numbers are expressed using significant



figures.

__________ 2. Scientific notation ensures that values are reported accurately

based on the capability of the measuring device.

__________ 3. All expressions should have similar terms first before adding or
subtracting numbers in scientific notation.

__________ 4. In the standard form of scientific notation, N can be any number

between 1 to 100.
__________ 5. When multiplying or dividing quantities, the final answer should
contain the same number of decimal places as the most accurate
measurement.
B. Identify the number of significant figures in each quantity. Express
the quantities in the standard form of scientific notation with three
1. 0.0000006750 mm _____________________________
2. 11 070 250 km _____________________________
3. 1 020 g/cm3 _____________________________
4. 0.0145000 m 3
_____________________________
5. 9500.23 N _____________________________

C. Solve the following problems. Express your answers using the

correct number of significant figures and standard forms of
scientific notation, if necessary.
1. What is the sum of the following measured distances: 13.50 m, 9.220 m, and 0.875
m?
2. How much force is being applied by a truck if its mass is 9.31 ✕ 104 kg and is
accelerating at a rate of 2.5 ✕ 10-2 m/s2. Force is the product of mass and
acceleration.
3. What is the density of an unknown object if its mass is 5.3 ✕ 10-2 kg and has a
volume of 1.10 ✕ 102 m3?
4. A carpet has to be installed in a meeting room with a length of 5.664 m and a width
of 4.5 m. What is the total area of the carpet needed for the room?



5. What is the volume of a wooden box if it has the following dimensions: 12.10 cm,
18.998 cm, and 30 cm?
6. Using a ruler, you measured the length of a small rectangular plywood sheet to be 14
mm. You then used a vernier caliper to measure its width and obtained a value of
4.76 mm. What are the area and the perimeter of the plywood sheet?
7. Gravitational potential energy is calculated by getting the product of the mass,
acceleration due to gravity, and height. What is the gravitational potential energy of a
roller coaster on top of the ride if its mass is 560 kg at a height of 51.3 meters?
Acceleration due to gravity on Earth is 9.8 m/s2.
8. Relativistic speeds are speeds approaching the speed of light. What is the speed of a
spaceship if it supposedly moved at a relativistic speed of 0.98c, where c is equivalent
to 2
99 792 458 m/s? Express your final answer in three significant figures.
9. A rectangular farm needs to be completely fenced. Its length is 2.6 ✕ 104 cm, while
its width is 1.75 ✕ 103 cm. The total length of the initial fence placed around it is 3.42
✕ 104 cm. How much fence is still needed to enclose the farm completely?
10. What would be the speed of a car if it covered 2.90 km in 10 minutes? Express your
final answer in m/s. Speed is calculated by dividing the distance covered by the unit
time.

Challenge Yourself

A. Show your solution for each item. Express your answers using the
correct number of significant figures.

1. A block of gold has a length of 5.62 cm, a width of 6.35 cm, and a height of 2.78 cm.
(a) Calculate the length times the width and round the answer to the appropriate
number of significant figures. (b) Multiply the rounded result in part a by the height,
and again round it off to get the volume. (c) Repeat the process but this time, find
first the width times the height, rounding it and multiply the answer to the length.
What did you notice about your answer? Why is it different?
2. Installation of tiles is needed for the three conference halls in a building.
Measurements were taken for each hall as follows: Hall A has a length of 15.52 m



and a width of 9.3 m; Hall B has a length of 7.988 m and a width of 6.0 m, while Hall
C has a length of 12.95 m and a width of 9 m. What is the area of each hall? What is
the total area for all three conference halls?

B. Answer the questions in two to three sentences only.
1. There are instances where trains traveled a few meters too far at the end of its
journey while traveling hundreds or thousands of meters. This can result in
accidents where trains overshoot from the station platform. If, for example, there is
a train from Manila to Bicol covering 650 kilometers and the train overshoots at the
end of the track by 10 m, is it correct to write the total distance covered by the train
as 650 010 m?
2. Suppose you were asked by your teacher to measure the length of your book. Your
classmate reported it to be 15.679 cm. Would you believe the measurement of your
classmate if s/he only used a ruler to measure it?
3. If scientific notation has not been invented yet today, how will your report the mass
of an electron which is 0.00000000000000000000000000000091093837015(28) kg?

Photo Credit
Hubble spots candidate for most distant known galaxy by ESA/Hubble is licensed under CC
BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Bibliography
Bauer, W., and Gary D. Westfall. University Physics with Modern Physics. New York:
McGraw-Hill, 2013.

Faughn, Jerry S. and Raymond A. Serway. Serway’s College Physics (7th ed). Singapore:
Brooks/Cole, 2006.

Knight, Randall Dewey. Physics for Scientists and Engineers: a Strategic Approach with Modern
Physics. Pearson, 2017.



Serway, Raymond A. and John W. Jewett, Jr. Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern
Physics (9th ed). USA: Brooks/Cole, 2014.

Young, Hugh D., Roger A. Freedman, and A. Lewis Ford. Sears and Zemansky’s University
Physics with Modern Physics (13th ed). USA: Pearson Education, 2012.

Key to Try It!

1. 4.60 ✕ 104 mL
2. 2.934 ✕ 104 s
3. 8.867 ✕ 102 μm
4. 5.80 ✕ 102 sticks
5. 2.26 ✕ 10-5 kg/m3
6. 1.87 ✕ 104 kg m/s2 or 1.87✕104 N
7. 24 cm
8. 80.2 kg
9. 5.8 kg
10. 2 kg/m3
11. 50 J
12. 1.787 ✕ 107 N/m2


Scientific Notation and Significant Figures: Lesson 1.2

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Scientific Notation and Significant Figures: Lesson 1.2

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Unit 1: Physical Quantities and Measurements

Learn about It! 3

Key Points 25

Key Formula 26

Check Your Understanding 26

Challenge Yourself 28

Photo Credit 29

Key to Try It! 30

Learning Objectives DepEd Competency

● Write measurements in scientific

Pass the Number! 10 minutes

Learn about It!

How do you write numbers in scientific notation?

​Did You Know?

How do you add and subtract numbers in scientific

1. Begin by factoring out the common factor 10​3​.

The combined mass of the two vehicles is 3.655 ✕ 10​5​ kg.

The difference between the two masses is 6.2955 ✕ 10​5​ kg.

How do you multiply and divide numbers in

1. Begin by multiplying the ​N o

2. Then add the exponents ​a,​ of the powers of 10.

The area of the field is 3.15 ✕ 10​6​ m​2​.

Similar to multiplication, ​N and ​a ​should also be calculated separately to divide quantities in

What is the importance of writing quantities in

How do you add and subtract quantities using the

How do you multiply and divide numbers using the

How do you define least accurate measurements in

10 Try It!

11 Try It!

12 Try It!

Concept Formula Description

Scientific Notation Use this standard form as a

Check Your Understanding

A. Write ​true​ if the statement is correct. Otherwise, write f​ alse​.

__________ 1. Very large and very small numbers are expressed using significant

__________ 2. Scientific notation ensures that values are reported accurately

C. Solve the following problems. Express your answers using the

B. Answer the questions in two to three sentences only.

Key to ​Try It!

You might also like

Did You Know?

1. Begin by factoring out the common factor 103.

The combined mass of the two vehicles is 3.655 ✕ 105 kg.

The difference between the two masses is 6.2955 ✕ 105 kg.

1. Begin by multiplying the N o

2. Then add the exponents a, of the powers of 10.

The area of the field is 3.15 ✕ 106 m2.

Similar to multiplication, N and a should also be calculated separately to divide quantities in

A. Write true if the statement is correct. Otherwise, write f alse.

Key to Try It!