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Significant Figures

Significant Figures. The Basics. All nonzero digits are significant Ex: 1.2 – 2 significant digits Ex: 1.2341 has 5 significant digits Zeroes between nonzero digits are significant Ex: 1008 has 4 significant digits Ex: 5.007 has 4 significant digits. The Basics.

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Significant Figures

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  1. Significant Figures

  2. The Basics • All nonzero digits are significant • Ex: 1.2 – 2 significant digits • Ex: 1.2341 has 5 significant digits • Zeroes between nonzero digits are significant • Ex: 1008 has 4 significant digits • Ex: 5.007 has 4 significant digits

  3. The Basics • Leading zeros to the left of the first nonzero digits are not significant; such zeroes merely indicate the position of the decimal point • Ex: 0.0001 has 1 significant digit • Ex: 0.0012 has 2 significant digit • Trailing zeroes that are also to the right of a decimal point in a number are significant • Ex: 0.020 has 2 significant digit

  4. The Basics • When a number ends in zeroes that are not to the right of a decimal point, the zeroes are not necessarily significant • Ex: 290 may have 2 or 3 significant digits. • Exception to this rule is the use of scientific notation. All digits in the first part of a scientific notated number are significant. • Ex: 5.0020 x 106 has 5 significant digits

  5. Exact Numbers • Some numbers are known to be exact. These are often used as conversion factors as discussed yesterday. • There are exactly 12 inches in 1 foot. • There is exactly 100 cm in 1 meter.

  6. Math Rules • When performing a math problem, the number in the problem with the least amount of significant digits determines the answer. • Ex: 5.86 x 21.5482 = 126.272452. This should be rounded to 3 significant digits, 126.

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