Significant figures in measurements

Significant figures in a measurement count from the

first non-zero figure in the measurement and end at the
last figure obtained in the measurement. The last figure in a
measurement is usually uncertain, but is still significant.
A treatment of this topic can be found in Chapter 1, pages
8 and 9.
Scientific notation
Expressing a measurement using scientific notation
involves the significant figures obtained in the
measurement times 10n, where n is an integer. The format
used in scientific notation is discussed in Chapter 1, page 9.
■ A measurement of 134.6 m can be written using
scientific notation as 1.346 × 102 m.
3: Algebra
Indices (exponents)
The following rules apply when using indices:
(ax) × (ay) = (ax+y)
1
ax = a−x
a0 = 1
(ax)y = axy
Difference of two squares formula
(a + b) (a − b) = a2 − b2
■ This formula was used in Chapter 2, page 22, in
deriving the equation of motion
v2 = v0
2 + 2a(x − x0)
Quadratic formula
For an equation of the form Ax2 + Bx + C, where A, B and
C are constants, the solution, x, is given by
x=
−B } √B2 − 4AC
2A
■ Worked example 2.3 (page 23) uses the quadratic
formula to find the time of flight for an object thrown
upwards.
Regression graphs and equations
Help in obtaining various types of regression graphs and
equations using paired data can be found in ExcelR, many
graphing calculators or on the internet. Regression may
include a choice among linear, polynomial, logarithmic or
exponential best fits to the data.
Dimensional consistency of equations
One way of checking the consistency of units in an
equation is through dimensional analysis. This topic is
discussed on page 5.
4: Trigonometric relationships
Pythagoras’ theorem
For the right-angled triangle ABC shown in Figure A-2,
where angle B is a right angle (i.e. b is a hypotenuse),
Pythagoras’ theorem states that
b2 = a2 + c2
AB
C
b
c
a
Figure A-2
Note: A, B and C represent angles BAC, CBA and ACB,
respectively.
Definitions of sin, cos and tan
The following are definitions of sine (sin), cosine (cos)
and tangent (tan) of an angle, using the right-angled
triangle in Figure A-2:
sin A =
opposite side
=
a
hypotenuse b
cos A =
adjacent side
=
c
hypotenuse b
tan A =
opposite side
=
a
adjacent side c