Significant Figures and Rules for Rounding in Calculations

Rules for Counting Significant Figures

Nonzero integers always count as significant figures. 511 3 s.f.

Leading zeros are zeros that precede all the nonzero digits.
0.0025 2 s.f.
These do not count as significant figures.

1008 4 s.f
Captive zeros are zeros between nonzero digits. These always
count as significant figures. 1.008 4 s.f.

100 1 s.f.
Trailing zeros are zeros at the right end of the number. In
1.00 3 s.f.
general assume they are significant only if the number contains
a decimal point or they are specified as significant in the 100. 3 s.f.
question.
102. 3 s.f.

10 trials
Exact numbers are not obtained using measuring devices but
8 molecules
are determined by counting or definition (like conversion infinite
factors) and do not impact the number of significant figures in s.f.
1 g = 100 cg
the result of a calculation.
1 in = 2.54 cm

Rules for Operations Using Significant Figures

Multiplication or division. The number of
significant figures in the result is the same as 99.1 = 89.198919892. . . = 89.2
1.11 3 s.f.
the number in the least precise measurement
used in the calculation.

Addition or subtraction. The result has the

1
same number of decimal places as the least 99.1 + 1.1543 = 100.2543 = 100.3
decimal
precise measurement used in the calculation.

Rules for Significant Figures in Logarithms and pH

Logarithm. When you take the 3.44 has
logarithm of a number, keep as three s.f.,
many significant figures to the right so 3.463
of the decimal point as there are The pH of a solution with [𝐻 + ] = 3.44𝑀: is
significant figures in the original pH = − log[𝐻 + ] = − log(3.44) = 3.463 reported
number. For example, log 4.000 (4 to three
s.f.) = 0.6021(4 s.f. to right of the decimal
decimal point). places.

2.55 has
Antilogarithms; pH. Conversely,
two
when you take the antilogarithm of a
decimal
number, the result should have the
The [𝐻 + ] in a solution with a pH of 2.55: places, so
same number of significant figures
2.8 is
as the number of significant decimal
[𝐻 + ] = 10 − 2.55 = 2.8 × 10 − 3 reported
places in the principal value. For
to two
example, antilog 0.0334 (3 s.f. to the
significant
right of the decimal) = 1.08 (3 s.f.).
figures.

Rules for Rounding Significant Figures in an Answer

Rounding
to two
significant
Rounding answers. Use only the first number to the right figures:
of the last significant figure. If this digit is 5 or greater,
6.597 = 6.6
round the last significant figure up (away from zero).
6.547 = 6.5
6.019 = 6.0

Rules for Carrying Significant Figures through Extended Calculations

It is important that you postpone rounding until all the calculations are
completed. At least one extra digit beyond the significant digits should be
carried through all of the computations in order to avoid a rounding error.
Round only the final answer to the correct number of significant digits.
How to calculate a question requiring that all digits (or at a minimum one
additional digit) be carried through the calculation:
A sample of benzene, 𝐶6 𝐻6 , has a mass of 4.25 grams. The molar
mass = 78.11g/mol. How many molecules of 𝐶6 𝐻6 are in the
sample? 𝑁 = 6.022 × 1023
23 23
4.25𝑔 × 1mol × 6.022 × 10 molecules = 5.441045 × 10 − 2 mol × 6.022 × 10 molecules
78.11𝑔 mol mol

= 3.276597 × 1022 = 3.28 × 1022 molecules

This example shows how to carry significant figures through an extended

calculation where you may need to report rounded intermediate values.
(You should carry the full values between steps, but if your calculator does
not allow carrying, carry at least one extra digit.)
A sample of benzene, 𝐶6 𝐻6 , has a mass of 4.25 grams. The molar
mass = 78.11g/mol.
(a) How many moles of 𝐶6 𝐻6 are in the sample?
4.25𝑔 × 1mol = 5.441045 × 10 − 2 mol = 5.44 × 10 − 2   mol
78.11𝑔

(b) How many molecules of 𝐶6 𝐻6 are in the sample? 𝑁 = 6.022 × 1023

23
5.441045 × 10 − 2 mol × 6.022 × 10 molecules = 3.276597 × 1022 = 3.28 × 1022 molecules
mol

(c) What is the total number of atoms in the sample?

Each molecule of 𝐶6 𝐻6 contains 6 C atoms + 6 H atoms = 12 atoms
total.
3.276597 × 1022 molecules   × 12   atoms = 3.931917 × 1023 = 3.93 × 1023 atoms   (3   𝑠 . 𝑓 . )
1   molecule