LESSON 3 SIGNIFICANT FIGURES

Learning outcomes

In this lesson, you are expected to have:

a. Explained the scientific method;

b. Learn and understand scientific method process; and
c. Understand the concepts in scientific notation and rounding off of numbers

Time Frame: 3 hours

Let’s begin
This sub module focuses on the fundamental concepts of mechanics particularly
significant figures. It also includes the concepts in scientific notation and rounding off of
numbers.

Fuel the Thrill

Do you know how to use significant figures correctly? If you think you do, take the
following pretest to be sure. Check your answers at bottom of this page.
1. Add, then write the answer using proper significant figures: 4.007 + 2.006 + 12.0 =
2. Multiply using a calculator, then express your answer in proper significant figures.
3.14159 x 2.32 =
3. How many significant figures are in each of these?
a. 0.008090 b. 320.0 c. 7 (exactly)
4. Round these numbers as indicated.
a. 78.75 to the tenths place. b. 0.030652 to 3 significant figures.

Let’s discuss
Rules for Significant Figures
Nearly all measurements have uncertainty. In science, we need to express
• how much uncertainty exists in measurements, and
• the uncertainty in calculations based on measurements.

The differentials studied in calculus provide one method to find a precise range of
the uncertainty in calculations based on measurements, but differentials can be time
consuming. The easier method for expressing uncertainty is significant figures, also
known as sig figs, abbreviated sf. Significant figures provide only an approximation of
uncertainty, but for all but the most precise needs, significant figure is the method of
choice for measurements and calculations in science.
A. Read from the left and start counting significant figures when you encounter
the first non-zero digit.
1. All non-zero numbers ARE significant. The number 12.2 has THREE significant
figures because all of the digits present are non-zero.
2. Zeros between two non-zero digits ARE significant. 7088 has FOUR significant
figures. The zero is between a 7 and a 8.
3. Zeros to left of the first nonzero digit are NOT significant (they don’t count); they are
only placeholders. The number 0.63 has only TWO significant figures. 0.0084 also
has TWO significant figures. All of the zeros are leading.
4. Trailing zeros (those at the end) to the right of the decimal ARE significant. There are
FOUR significant figures in 86.00.

86.00 is different from 86. It's important to understand that "zero" does not
mean "nothing." Zero denotes actual information, just like any other number. You
cannot tag on zeros that aren't certain to belong there.
5. Trailing zeros in a whole number with the decimal shown ARE significant. Placing a
decimal at the end of a number is usually not done. By convention, however, this
decimal indicates a significant zero. For example, "210." indicates that the trailing
zero IS significant; there are THREE significant figures in this value.
6. Trailing zeros in a whole number with no decimal shown are NOT significant. Writing
just "210" indicates that the zero is NOT significant, and there are only TWO
significant figures in this value.
7. Exact numbers have an INFINITE number of significant figures. For example, 1 meter
= 1.00 meters = 1.0000 meters = 1.0000000000000000000 meters, etc.
8. For a number in scientific notation: N x 10˟, all digits comprising N ARE significant by
the first 6 rules; "10" and "x" are NOT significant. 3.09 x 10⁴ has THREE significant
figures: "3.09." "10 and "4" are not significant.
Rule 8 provides the opportunity to change the number of significant figures in
a value by manipulating its form. For example, let's try writing 9600 with THREE
significant figures. By rule 6, 9600 has TWO significant figures; its two trailing zeros
are not significant. If we add a decimal to the end, we have 9600., with FOUR
significant figures (by rule 5.) But by writing it in scientific notation: 9.60 x 10³, we
create a THREE-significant-figure value.

B. Rules for addition/subtraction problems

When you add or subtract, look at the places of decimal points. Then, add or
subtract in the normal way. Round the answer to the LEAST number of places to the
decimal point of the quantity used in the calculation.

In practice, find the quantity with the fewest digits to the right of the decimal point. In the
example below, this would be 13.2 (this is the least exact quantity).

8.757 + 4.52 + 13.2 = 26.477 (this is the result in your calculator)

 In this case, your final answer is limited to one significant figure to the right of the
decimal or 26.5 (rounded up).

C. Rules for multiplication/division problems

The final calculated value will have the same number of significant figures as that
of the quantity having the least number of significant figures used in the calculation.

In the example below, the quantity with the fewest number of significant figures
is 43.8 (three significant figures). Therefore, your final answer is limited to three
significant figures.

43.8 x 10.03 = 439.314 (this is the result in your calculator)

In this case, since your final answer is limited to three significant figures, the
answer is 439. (rounded down)

D. Rules for combined addition/subtraction and multiplication/division problems

Use the order of mathematical operations to determine which order to apply the
rules for addition/subtraction (determine the number of significant figures for that step)
or the rules for multiplication/division.

(23 + 7.0) ÷ 10.0 = 3 (this is the result in your calculator)

In this case, your answer should have 2 significant figures, 3.0.

Untwist the loop

Write the number of significant figures in these.
1. 0.0057 2. 200.5 3. 196.40 4. 4540.
5. 700 6. 4.06 x 10ˉ⁶ 7. 0.020 x 10⁷ 8. 12.22 + 21.1 =
9. 7.0002 + 12.22 + 3.03 = 10. 14001 - 772.1 = 11. 9.221 – 3.01 =
12. 98.713 - 76.1 = 13. 1.223 x 2.33 = 14. 16.3 ÷ 3.1 =
15. 24.0 x 3.5 = 16. 0.0223 x 2.2 = 17. 12.
18. 9.67 ÷ 2.4 = 19. 3.32 + 6.0 = 20. 0.0712 – 0.005 =

Speak your mind

.

Extend your horizon

IMPORTANT CONCEPTS TO REMEMBER
• All non-zero numbers are significant (meaning they count as significant figures).
• Zeros located between non-zero digits are significant (they count).
• Trailing zeros (those at the end) are significant only if the number contains a
decimal point; otherwise they are insignificant (they don’t count).
 • Zeros to left of the first nonzero digit are insignificant (they don’t count); they are
only placeholders!

References
Brown, Theodore E., H. Eugene LeMay, and Bruce E. Bursten. Chemistry: The Central
Science, Tenth Edition. Pearson Education Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey:
2005.
Petrucci, Ralph H., William S. Harwood, F. Geoffrey Herring, and Jeffry D. Madura.
General Chemistry: Principles and Modern Applications, Ninth Edition. Pearson
Education Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: 2007.