Exercise 3: Determining significant figures: On the line, write the number of significant figures in each measurement: a) 252 m d) 2.40 cm b) 2503 cm e) 0.004 5 s c) 0.01 kg f) 3.060 x 10 m3

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Often a zero that is difficult to tell if it is significant or not can be clarified by using scientific
notation.
Exercise 3: Determining significant figures:
On the line, write the number of significant figures in each measurement:
d) 2.40 cm
a) 252 m
e) 0.004 5 s
b) 2503 cm
c) 0.01 kg
f) 3.060 x 10 m³
The number of significant figures in a measurement is also sometimes called the accuracy
of the measurement (but it has nothing to do with how well you performed in making the
measurement!). When using the rules of significant figures in calculations, it will depend on
the calculation:
When multiplying or dividing two or more quantities, the number of significant
figures in the final result is the same as the number of significant figures in the least
accurate of the factors being combined.
This will be the rule you will need to follow most often in lab. However, you may also have
to add or subtract measurements. Another rule then applies, one that looks at the
precision of the measurement.
The precision is the smallest unit in which the measurement was made, the decimal
position of the last significant figure. The rule is:
When adding or subtracting measurements, be sure all the units are the same. Then
perform the operation and round the result to the same precision as the least precise
тeasurement.
If you have a combination of operations, use same order of operations with the significant
figures as you do when performing the operation itself. Remember, using these rules will
approximate the uncertainty by giving a reasonable number of significant figures to use in
the answer. To find the true uncertainty, you would need to go through a series of
calculations.
Examples:
Transcribed Image Text:Often a zero that is difficult to tell if it is significant or not can be clarified by using scientific notation. Exercise 3: Determining significant figures: On the line, write the number of significant figures in each measurement: d) 2.40 cm a) 252 m e) 0.004 5 s b) 2503 cm c) 0.01 kg f) 3.060 x 10 m³ The number of significant figures in a measurement is also sometimes called the accuracy of the measurement (but it has nothing to do with how well you performed in making the measurement!). When using the rules of significant figures in calculations, it will depend on the calculation: When multiplying or dividing two or more quantities, the number of significant figures in the final result is the same as the number of significant figures in the least accurate of the factors being combined. This will be the rule you will need to follow most often in lab. However, you may also have to add or subtract measurements. Another rule then applies, one that looks at the precision of the measurement. The precision is the smallest unit in which the measurement was made, the decimal position of the last significant figure. The rule is: When adding or subtracting measurements, be sure all the units are the same. Then perform the operation and round the result to the same precision as the least precise тeasurement. If you have a combination of operations, use same order of operations with the significant figures as you do when performing the operation itself. Remember, using these rules will approximate the uncertainty by giving a reasonable number of significant figures to use in the answer. To find the true uncertainty, you would need to go through a series of calculations. Examples:
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