Chapter 1 Measurements

1.2
Measured Numbers and
Significant Figures

Copyright © 2005 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Publishing as Benjamin Cummings

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Measured Numbers

A measuring tool

• is used to determine
a quantity such as
height or the mass of
an object.
• provides numbers for
a measurement
called measured
numbers.
Copyright © 2005 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Publishing as Benjamin Cummings

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Reading a Meter Stick

. l2. . . . l . . . . l3 . . . . l . . . . l4. . cm
• The markings on the meter stick at the end of the
orange line are read as
the first digit 2
plus the second digit 2.7
• The last digit is obtained by estimating.
• The end of the line might be estimated between 2.7–
2.8 as half-way (0.5) or a little more (0.6), which gives
a reported length of 2.75 cm or 2.76 cm.

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Known & Estimated Digits

In the length reported as 2.76 cm,

• The digits 2 and 7 are certain (known).

• The final digit 6 was estimated (uncertain).
• All three digits (2.76) are significant including the
estimated digit.

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Learning Check

. l8. . . . l . . . . l9. . . . l . . . . l10. . cm

What is the length of the orange line?
1) 9.0 cm
2) 9.03 cm
3) 9.04 cm

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Solution

. l8. . . . l . . . . l9. . . . l . . . . l10. . cm

The length of the orange line could be reported as

2) 9.03 cm
or 3) 9.04 cm

The estimated digit may be slightly different. Both

readings are acceptable.

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Zero as a Measured Number

. l3. . . . l . . . . l4. . . . l . . . . l5. . cm

• For this measurement, the first and second known

digits are 4.5.

• Because the line ends on a mark, the estimated digit

in the hundredths place is 0.

• This measurement is reported as 4.50 cm.

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Significant Figures in
Measured Numbers

Significant figures

• obtained from a measurement include all

of the known digits plus the estimated
digit.
• reported in a measurement depend on the
measuring tool.

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Significant Figures

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Counting Significant Figures

All non-zero numbers in a measured number are

significant.

Number of
Measurement Significant Figures
38.15 cm 4
5.6 ft 2
65.6 lb 3
122.55 m 5

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Sandwiched Zeros

Sandwiched zeros
• occur between nonzero numbers.
• are significant.
Number of
Measurement Significant Figures
50.8 mm 3
2001 min 4
0.0702 lb 3
0.40505 m 5

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Trailing Zeros

Trailing zeros
• follow non-zero numbers in numbers without
decimal points.
• are usually place holders.
• are not significant.
Number of
Measurement Significant Figures
25 000 cm 2
200 kg 1
48 600 mL 3
25 005 000 g 5

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Leading Zeros

Leading zeros
• precede non-zero digits in a decimal number.
• are not significant.

Number of
Measurement Significant Figures
0.008 mm 1
0.0156 oz 3
0.0042 lb 2
0.000262 mL 3

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Learning Check

State the number of significant figures in each of

the following measurements.

A. 0.030 m
B. 4.050 L
C. 0.0008 g
D. 2.80 m

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Solution

State the number of significant figures in each of

the following measurements.

A. 0.030 m 2
B. 4.050 L 4
C. 0.0008 g 1
D. 2.80 m 3

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Significant Figures in
Scientific Notation
In scientific notation all digits including zeros in the
coefficient are significant.

Number of
Measurement Significant Figures
8 x 104 m 1
8.0 x 104 m 2
8.00 x 104 m 3

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Learning Check

A. Which answer(s) contain 3 significant figures?

1) 0.4760 2) 0.00476 3) 4.76 x 103

B. All the zeros are significant in

1) 0.00307 2) 25.300 3) 2.050 x 103

C. The number of significant figures in 5.80 x 102 is

1) one 2) two 3) three

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Solution

A. Which answer(s) contain 3 significant figures?

2) 0.00476 3) 4.76 x 103
B. All the zeros are significant in
2) 25.300 3) 2.050 x 103

C. The number of significant figures in 5.80 x 102 is

3) three

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Learning Check

In which set(s) do both numbers contain the

same number of significant figures?

1) 22.0 and 22.00

2) 400.0 and 40
3) 0.000015 and 150 000

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Solution

In which set(s) do both numbers contain the same

number of significant figures?

3) 0.000015 and 150 000

Both numbers contain two (2) significant figures.

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Examples of Exact Numbers

An exact number is obtained

• when objects are counted.

Counted objects
2 soccer balls
4 pizzas

• from numbers in a defined relationship.

Defined relationships
1 foot = 12 inches
1 meter = 100 cm

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Exact Numbers

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Learning Check

A. Exact numbers are obtained by

1. using a measuring tool.
2. counting.
3. definition.

B. Measured numbers are obtained by

1. using a measuring tool.
2. counting.
3. definition.

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Solution

A. Exact numbers are obtained by

2. counting.
3. definition.

B. Measured numbers are obtained by

1. using a measuring tool.

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Learning Check

Classify each of the following as (1) exact or (2) measured

numbers.
A.__Gold melts at 1064°C.
B.__1 yard = 3 feet
C.__The diameter of a red blood cell is 6 x 10-4 cm.
D.__There are 6 hats on the shelf.
E.__A can of soda contains 355 mL of soda.

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Solution

Classify each of the following as (1) exact or (2) measured

numbers.
A. 2 A measuring tool is required.
B. 1 This is a defined relationship.
C. 2 A measuring tool is used to determine
length.
D. 1 The number of hats is obtained by counting.
E. 2 The volume of soda is measured.

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