1. Significant Figures

1. Significant Figures

1. 3 Sig Figs

   • 506
   • 50.6
   • 0.506
   • 0.00506
   • If Zero's are employed just to position the decimal point then they are considered NOT significant.

2. A Figure or Digit, gives an idea of both (1) Quantity, and (2) Accuracy

3. Decimals 0.001090

   • The Numbers to the LEFT of the 1 are NOT significant, but all numbers to the RIGHT of the 1 ARE significant.

4. Whole Numbers 030060

   • The 0 to the LEFT of the 3 is NOT significant, but both 0's on the RIGHT of the 3 would be Significant.

5. The Digits from 1 to 9 are always significant.

6. 0 is a significant figure IF..

   • It is in between two Significant Figures..
     • 207 = 3 sig figs
     • 20087 = 5 sig figs
     • 0254 = 3 sig figs
     • 00033404 = 5 sig figs
   • It is at the end of a number and after the decimal point..
     • 2.04 = 3 sig figs
     • 0.0043 = 2 sig figs
     • 0.002000 = 4 sig figs
     • 0.000000 = 0 sig figs

7. Whole Number EXAMPLES

   • 1) 326
     • 3 sig figs
   • 2) 320
     • 2 sig figs
   • 3) 408
     • 3 sig figs
   • 4) 2070
     • 3 sig figs
   • 5) 30.0
     • 3 sig figs
   • 6) 1.400
     • 4 sig figs
   • 7) 30030
     • 4 sig figs
   • 8) 602.1
     • 4 sig figs

8. Decimal Point EXAMPLES

   • 1) 0.64
     • 2 sig figs
   • 2) 0.0054
     • 2 sig figs
   • 3) 0.0320
     • 3 sig figs
   • 4) 0.4050
     • 4 sig figs
   • 5) 0.900
     • 3 sig figs
   • 6) 0.101000
     • 6 sig figs

9. Rounding Significant Figures

   • 1/ 847454 4 s.f.
     • = 847500
   • 2/ 654000 2 s.f.
     • = 650000
   • 3/ 84764.654 4 s.f.
     • = 84760
   • 4/ 95847500.746 3 s.f.
     • = 95800000