Formatting Numbers

Use Digits for Numbers > 10 The lab required the use of 16 paperclips and a space heater. Exception: A sentence cannot begin with a numeral Options: Spell out number if the first word of the sentence Rewrite the sentence so number is not first

Other < 11 Exceptions 1) Parts of a report Lab 1, Figure 2 2) Anything with a symbol: Percentages and ratios Measurements and currency Times and dates 12%, 1:4 12 mm, $54 October 12 3) Figures (numbers in tables, equations or diagram) 1995 2005 2015 5 4

Usually Spell Out Ten or Fewer The team ran 25 trials. There were eight teeth on the gear. The diameter was 3 cm and materials cost $7. The due date is November 4. Thirty-five bricks were used. In the design, 35 bricks were used. The gear ratio was calculated as 3:1. Lab 7 will be presented today. The front view is shown in Figure 2.

Round Off to Two Decimal Places Engineers are more practical than mathematicians Real-world measures are useful to the 100s, at best 10.33333333 10.33 10.14285714 10.14 3.16227766 3.16

Use Leading & Trailing Zeroes Use a zero before any decimal If some numbers have a decimal, all should .8 0.80 1 1.00 .92 0.92

Software Will Line Up Decimals Try “decimal tab” to line up numbers (Mac only): Use automatic rounding in Excel:

Formatting Numbers Spell out numbers ten or fewer Usually use digits when 11 or greater Only two decimal places with leading and trailing zeroes Exploit software features

Formatting Numbers QUESTIONS?