Significant Figures in Numerical Calculations

 Addition/Subtraction:

The result of an addition or subtraction should be reported to the same number of

decimal places as that of the term with the least number of decimal place(s).
Examples: (Nos. 1 & 2 are addition) and (Nos. 3 & 4 are subtraction)

1) 161.032 m
5.6 m
32.45 m_
199.082 m
Final answer is 199.1 m

2) 12.776 kg
100 kg
24.09 kg
7.8 kg___
144.676 kg
Final answer is 145 kg

3) 589.35 cm
238.652 cm_
350.698 cm
Final answer is 350.70 cm

4) 12.258 km
5.11 km__
7.148 km
Final Answer is 7.15 km

 Multiplication/Division:

The result of multiplication or division may contain only as many significant figures as
the least precisely known quantity in the calculation.
Example:
1) 50.25 m x 6.00 m = 301.5 m2

Final Answer is 302 m2

2) 14.79 cm x 12.11 cm x 5.05 cm = 904.489845 cm 3

Final answer is 904 cm3

3) 25 x 4.00 = 30.003
3.333

Final Answer is 30. or 3.0 x 101

4) 56.8 g ÷ 40.65 cm3= 1.39729 g/cm3

Final answer is 1.40g/cm3

 References:

1. Burdge, Julia (2017) Chemistry (4th ed.). New York, McGraw-Hill Education. Pp. 17 – 21.
2. Chang, R. & Goldsby, K. A. (2016). Chemistry (12th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education, pp 21 – 24.
3. Tillery, B.W., Enger, E.D., & Ross, F.C. (2013). Integrated Science Sixth Edition. Science, Measurement
Systems. NY: McGraw Hill, pp. 20 – 22.
4. Silberberg, M. S. (2013). Principles of General Chemistry (3rd ed.). McGraw-Hill.