Significant Figures

Significant figures are the digits in any measurement that are known with certainty plus one digit that is uncertain. Number of significant figures = All certain digits + One uncertain digit

Determine the number of significant figures in each of the following measurements: Rule #1 All non-zero digits are significant. 5 sig. fig Rule #4 Trailing zeros at the end of a number are significant only if the number (a) contains a decimal point or (b) contains an overbar. Rule #2 Zeros to the left of the first non-zero digit are not significant. Rule #3 Zeros between non-zero digits are significant sig. fig. 5 sig. fig. 4 sig. fig.

Rule #4 Trailing zeros at the end of a number are significant only if the number (a) contains a decimal point or (b) contains an overbar. 5 sig. fig Rule #3 Zeros between non-zero digits are significant. Rule #4 Trailing zeros at the end of a number are significant only if the number (a) contains a decimal point or (b) contains an overbar. Rule #2 Zeros to the left of the first non-zero digit are not significant sig. fig. 5 sig. fig.

More Practice Problems Determine the number of significant figures in each of the following measurements: a) Rule #4 Trailing zeros at the end of a number are significant only if the number (a) contains a decimal point or (b) contains an overbar. 1 sig. fig. b) 3005 Rule #2 Zeros to the left of the first non-zero digit are not significant. Rule #1 All non-zero digits are significant. Rule #2 Zeros to the left of the first non-zero digit are not significant. c) d) sig. fig. 1 sig. fig. 2 sig. fig.

e) Rule #1 All non-zero digits are significant. 4 sig. fig. f) Rule #2 Zeros to the left of the first non-zero digit are not significant. Rule #4 Trailing zeros at the end of a number are significant only if the number (a) contains a decimal point or (b) contains an overbar. Rule #2 Zeros to the left of the first non-zero digit are not significant. Rule #4 g) 0.50 h) 70 4 sig. fig. 2 sig. fig.