Scientific Math

Accuracy v. Precision Accuracy-closeness of measurements to the correct value Accuracy-closeness of measurements to the correct value Precision-closeness of a set of measurements Precision-closeness of a set of measurements

Scientific Notation Numbers are written in the form M x 10 n Numbers are written in the form M x 10 n M is between 1 and 10 M is between 1 and 10 N is a whole number N is a whole number

Adding/Subtracting Scientific Notation Must have same exponent Must have same exponent Add or subtract M factors Add or subtract M factors Exponent may remain the same or have to be adjusted Exponent may remain the same or have to be adjusted

Multiply M factors are multiplied M factors are multiplied Exponents are added Exponents are added

Division M factors are divided M factors are divided Exponent of denominator is subtracted from numerator Exponent of denominator is subtracted from numerator

Direct Proportions Two quantities are directly proportional if dividing one by the other gives a constant value Two quantities are directly proportional if dividing one by the other gives a constant value

Inverse Proportion Two quantities are inversely proportional when their product is constant Two quantities are inversely proportional when their product is constant

Significant Figures Non Zeroes are significant Non Zeroes are significant

Zero Rules Leading Zeroes do not count Leading Zeroes do not count – has two significant numbers

Zero Rules Captive Zeros count as significant Captive Zeros count as significant –1.008 has four significant numbers

Zero Rules Trailing zeros only if the number has a decimal Trailing zeros only if the number has a decimal –100 has one significant number –1.00 x 10 3 has 3 significant numbers