Measurements

By: Mr. Agustin A. Pandoma

 Estimation
Estimation is using your knowledge
of something similar in size or
amount to determine the size of the
new object.
o Helps to make a
rough measurement
of an object.
o Usefully when you
are in a hurry and
exact numbers are
not required.
Precision and Accuracy
Precision is a
description of
how close
measurements
are to each other.

Accuracy is
comparing your
measurement to
the actual or
accepted value.
 Scientific Notation

◼ Used for expressing very large or

very small values
◼ standard form
⚫ base x 10 exponent
⚫ base is between 1.0 and 9.999…
⚫ if exponent is positive the value is greater than 1
⚫ if exponent is negative the value is lesser than 1

◼ convert to decimal by moving the

decimal the number of places
indicated by the exponent
 Significant Figures
⚫ The digits reported in a measured
quantity
⚫ Indicate the precision of the
measuring instrument
⚫ Calculations should not have more
significant digits than the least
number of significant digits in the
problem.
Rules – Significant Figures
◼ 1. All nonzero numbers are
significant. Ex: 456 – 3 sig.
◼ 2. All zeros between numbers are
significant. Ex: 408 – 3 sig.
◼ 3. If decimal present, zero’s to the
left are not significant.
Ex: 0.0078 – 2 sig.
◼ 4. If decimal present, zero’s to the
right are significant.
Ex: 0.090 – 2 sig.
◼ 5. If no decimal, zero’s on end are
not significant. Ex: 34500 – 3 sig.
How many sig figs?

1. 100
2. 10302.00
3. 0.001
4. 10302
5. 1.0302x104
SEATWORK
# Of SF Rule #

1. 0.100

2. 1.20x10E5

3. 2965

4. 20100

5. 1200

6. 1.30x10E-5

7. 200008