Practice: Read the ruler measurement to the correct number of significant figures.
Significant figures are necessary to communicate the level of accuracy with which values are recorded.
Significant Figures
Concept #1: To determine the number of significant figures for a value is dependent on the presence of a demical point.
Example #1: How many sig figs does each number contain?
(1) 0.0001010 m (2) 10030 s
(3) 2.00 x 103 m (4) 14 people
● Multiplication/Division: Measurement with least SIG FIGS determines final answer.
● Addition/Subtraction: Measurement with least DECIMAL PLACES determines final answer.
Example #2: Perform the following calculations to the right number of sig figs:
[(0.999 + 1.01) ● (15.1 - 0.815)] / (0.010)(16) + (33.3 + 7.5)
Example #3: Read the water level with the correct number of significant figures.
A) 6.80 mL B) 7 mL C) 7.0 mL D) 7.00 mL E) 7.20 mL
Practice: Read the ruler measurement to the correct number of significant figures.
