Significant Figures

◦ The significant figures in a

measurement include all of the digits
that are known, plus a last digit that is
estimated.

Measurements must always be

reported to the correct number of
significant figures because
calculated answers cannot be more
precise than measured data.
 To determine whether a digit in a measured value
is significant, you need to apply the following rules.

1. Every nonzero digit is significant.

Each of these measurements has three

significant figures:

24.7 meters
0.743 meter
714 meters
Determining Significant Figures in
Measurements
Determining Significant Figures in Measurements
2. Zeros appearing between nonzero digits
are significant. These are called
“sandwich zeros”.

Each of these measurements has four significant

figures: Why?

7003 meters
40.79 meters
1.503 meters
Determining Significant Figures in Measurements
3. Trailing zeros or zeros after a decimal
point are significant

4.90 meters
84.00 meters
0.78000 meters
1.0890 meters
Determining Significant Figures in Measurements
5. When no decimal point is indicated, zeros
after the non-zero digits may or may not
be significant.

250 m
709,000 m
250. m
709,000. m
 Determine the number of significant
figures of the following items
1. 233 m
2. 876.443 mm
3. 5300 g
4. 887000 g
5. 0. 000762 kg
6. 700009 mmol
7. 0.000090998 mg
8. 1000000
9. 156000.m
10.4500945
Significant Figures in
Calculations
Rules for Addition and Subtraction
•The number of significant figures in the result is
the same as in the measurement with the smallest
number of decimal places.
 Sample Problem 3.5

Significant Figures in Addition and

Subtraction
Give the answer to the correct number of
significant figures.
12.52 meters + 349.0 meters + 8.24 meters

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 Sample Problem 3.5

2 Solve Apply the concepts to this problem.

349.0 meters has the
fewest decimal places,
just one. The answer
12.52 meters
must be rounded to
349.0 meters
one decimal place
+ 8.24 meters
369.76 meters

369.8 meters
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Rules for Multiplication and Division
•The number of significant figures in the result is
the same as in the measurement with the smallest
number of significant figures.
 Sample Problem 3.6

Significant Figures in Multiplication

and Division
Give the answers to the correct number
of significant figures.
a. 7.55 meters x 0.34 meter
b. 2.10 meters x 0.70 meter
c. 2.4526 meters2 ÷ 8.4 meters

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its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.
 Sample Problem 3.6

2 Solve Apply the concepts to this problem.

a. 7.55 meters x 0.34 meter

The second measurement (0.34 meter) has the

least number of significant figures (two). So, the
answer must be rounded to two significant figures.

a. 7.55 meters x 0.34 meter = 2.567 meters2

= 2.6 meters2
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its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.
The second measurement (0.70 meter) has
the least number of significant figures
(two). So, the answer must be rounded to
two significant figures.

b. 2.10 meters x 0.70 meter = 1.47 meters2

= 1.5
meters2
 Sample Problem 3.6

2 Solve Apply the concepts to this problem.

c. 2.4526 meters2 ÷ 8.4 meters

The second measurement (8.4 meters2) has the

least number of significant figures (two). So, the
answer must be rounded to two significant figures.

c. 2.4526 meters2 ÷ 8.4 meters = 0.291 076 meter

= 0.29 meter
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its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.
Perform the following operations. Follow
the rules on significant figures.
1. 445.23 cm + 23.17 cm + 334 cm
2. 654. 332 m + 334.33 m
3. 445.3332 kg – 333.87 kg
4. 443. 890 km – 223 km
5. 332.0 m x 334 m
6. 63.401 m2 / 3.01 m
In what case are zeros significant in
a measured value?

trailing zeros with a decimal point

Sandwich zero’s – between real
numbers

Sig Fig Rule when + or - numbers?

◦ Round to fewest decimal places

Sig Fig Rule when x or ÷ numbers?

◦ Round to fewest significant figures
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Scientific Notation
A. Scientific Notation
Very large or very small numbers can be
expressed using scientific notation.
 The number is written as a number between 1 and
10 multiplied by 10 raised to a power.
 The power of 10 depends on

• The number of places the decimal point is moved.

• The direction the decimal point is moved.
Left  Positive exponent

Right  Negative exponent

A. Scientific Notation
Representing Large Numbers

• Representing Small Numbers

To obtain a number between 1 and 10 we must move the
decimal point.

0.000167 = 1.67  10−4

Exercise
Express each number in scientific
notation.

5842
0.0000063

5.842×103
6.3×10–6

22
Express the following in scientific
notation:
1.233 m 2. 5300 g 3. 0.000762 kg

Express the following in decimal notation:

5.26×10-4
8.207×10–6
9.346×10-3
16.00×102