Significant Figures Noteguide

Chemistry 1-2
When doing measurement and calculations in chemistry, we use significant figures to
make sure our numbers are accurate and within the appropriate uncertainty range of the
instrument we are using. Significant figures (or “sig figs”) are related to the “guess digit” in
that they are determined by the precision of the measuring device.
To determine the number of significant figures in a given number, there are 3 rules to follow:
1. All numbers other than zero are always significant.
2. A zero is significant if it comes AFTER another number AND there is a decimal
somewhere in the number. Ex: 1.450
3. A zero is also significant if it is BETWEEN two other numbers. Ex: 3.607
All other zeros are NOT significant.
Now let’s practice:
For 0.00506, how many significant figures are there?
-Let’s look first at the first 3 zeros and examine rule 2. Are they after another number? No.
So those zeros are not significant.
-Now let’s look at the last zero and rule 3. Is this zero significant? Yes, because it’s between
a 5 and a 6.
-And according to rule 1, all numbers other than zero are significant.
So, 0.00506 has 3 sig figs.
Now you try:
How many sig figs are there in:
A) 3.0050 ______ B) 1.45 ______ C) 0.079 ______ D) 0.2060 ______ E) 1600 ____

Sometimes we have to round using significant figures. The rounding rules are the same as
you have learned in math. When the number right after where you are rounding is equal to or
greater than 5, you round up and when it is less than 5 you round down.
Ex: Round the following to 3 sig figs.
A) 3.645
-First you have to figure out which number is the third sig fig. In this case, it is the underlined
one. 3.645
-Next, you look at the number after it- in this case it’s a five, so you round up and the number
becomes 3.65
-Double check your answer to make sure it’s the correct number of sig. figs.
B) 7.813 _______________ C) 9428 __________________
Now you try:
Round to 2 sig figs:

A) 0.0377 _________ B) 1689 ________ C) 65.82 _________ D) 0.0000041134 _______________

Rounding when doing calculations:
When we round while doing calculations in chemistry, the number of digits that we
round to depends on the type of math being used.

When using addition and subtraction, you have to look at the number of digits past the
decimal. You have to round to the same number of digits past the decimal as the
measurement with the fewest digits past the decimal.

Ex: 4.68 + 31.2 =

-The first number has 2 digits past the decimal and the second number only has one, so our
answer will only have one digit past the decimal.
-So 4.68 + 31.2 = 35.88 which we will round to 35.9.

You try:
8.396 – 2.53 = __________________________________

When using multiplication and division, you have to look at the number of significant
figures. You round your answer to the number of significant figures as the measurement with
the fewest significant figures.

Ex: 1.387 X 9.01 =

-The first number has 4 sig figs and the second number has 3, so our answer has to be
rounded to 3 sig figs.
- So 1.387 X 9.01 = 12.49687 which we will round to 12.5.

You try:
29.80 / 6.2 = ____________________________________

When using dimensional analysis, you have to look at the number of significant figures that
the given contains. You round your answer to the same number of significant figures as the
given. Note: exact numbers are NOT included because they are defined values. For example,
if you have an equality where 1 dozen = 12 objects you do not count the 1 or the 12 because
they are exact numbers instead of measurements. The same would apply for the ratio from a
balanced equation where 3 moles H2 = 2 moles NH3.

Ex: Find the mass of 3.0 moles of KCl.