Science

Grade 7 • Unit 1: Doing Scientific Investigations

LESSON 1.3
Reporting Quantitative Data
Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Learning Competency 2

Learning Objectives 2

Warm-Up 2

Learn about It 4
Measurement 4
Significant Figures 8
Scientific Notation 11
Writing Scientific Notations 12
Converting Scientific Notations to Decimal Form 12

Worked Examples 13

Key Points 16

Check Your Understanding 16

Bibliography 18

Answer to Let’s Practice 19

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Grade 7 • Unit 1: Doing Scientific Investigations

Lesson 1.3
Reporting Quantitative Data

The Pyramids of Giza were designed and built using highly precise measurements even by
today’s standards.

Introduction
Scientific observations may be qualitative or quantitative. Quantitative observations are
numerical observations obtained from measurements such as length, mass, electric
current, etc. In reporting numerical results, scientists should follow rules and widely
accepted units of measurement to avoid confusion and for better communication of data.

Scientific studies require a lot of measurement and the data gathered would depend on the
instruments used. Some quantities are easy to measure. The length of a pencil is easy to get
with a ruler. However, some quantities are either very large like Earth’s circumference, or
very small like the mass of a grain of sand. How do scientists use these numerical
observations to draw conclusions?

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Learning Competency
At the end of this lesson, the given enrichment competency should be met by
the students.
Report quantitative data in the correct significant figures and in scientific
notation.

Learning Objectives
In this lesson, you should be able to do the following:
● Identify Système International (SI) units of measurement.
● Represent quantitative data in the correct significant figures.
● Convert very large or very small numbers to scientific notation.

Warm-Up

Cut the Confusion

Materials
● weighing scale
● tape measure

Procedure
1. A pair of students with comparable sizes will weigh themselves, one using pounds
and the other using kilograms. Using the values obtained, the pair must guess who
is heavier. The values will then be converted to know which one is correct.
2. A pair of students with comparable height will measure their height, one using feet,
and one using meters. Using the values that they obtained, they will guess who is

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taller. The values will be converted to know which one is correct.

Guide Questions
1. Did you notice a large difference between the reported values after converting them
to similar units?
___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

2. Why do you think is it important to report the unit (e.g. kg, lb, m, ft) together with
the number value when taking measurements?
___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

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Learn about It

Essential Question
What is a measurement and how are they taken?

Measurement
As earlier civilization grew, the need for a unit of measurement to perceive length became
inevitable. During the early days, without a standard unit of measurement, people would
use several body parts to measure length. They would use their knuckles or their foot to
measure short distances. In the Philippines, isang dangkal would be the distance from the
end of the thumb to the end of the pinky finger while isang dipa would be the measure
from one end of an outstretched arm to another. These kinds of measurements, though
convenient, are inconsistent.

Measurement is the process of finding out how many measuring units are contained in an
event or object based on a certain set of standards. Early on, the metric system was the
agreed system of measurement created in France. In the metric system, each type of
measurement has a basic unit of measure. Conversions can be done easily by multiplying
by factors of 10 and adding prefixes to the units of measurement. Some metric prefixes are
summarized in Table 1.3.1.

Table 1.3.1. Some metric prefixes

Prefix Symbol Multiplier Meaning

giga G 1 000 000 000 one billion times

mega M 1 000 000 one million times

kilo k 1 000 one thousand times

hecto h 100 one hundred times

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deci d 0.1 one-tenth of

centi c 0.01 one-hundredth of

milli m 0.001 one-thousandth of

micro μ 0.000 001 one-millionth of

nano n 0.000 000 001 one-billionth of

For example, when a measurement reads one kilometer, this is the same as saying one
thousand meters. One nanometer, on the other hand, is the same as one billionth of a
meter.

However, the metric system was not adopted primarily in the United States. The US English
system of measurement is derived from day-to-day activities using body parts and
common objects. For example, the distance was measured in feet while volume was
measured in cups. This led to discrepancies in the measurement and confusion when
comparing the metric and the English units.

To avoid confusion, the Systeme International d’Unites or the International System of Units
(SI unit ) was agreed upon by many scientific agencies. The SI unit is a standard system of
measurement used by many scientists worldwide.

There are seven fundamental quantities in the SI unit. Each quantity is based on a standard
that is precisely defined. For example, a meter is based on the distance traveled by light in a
vacuum in 1/299 792 458 seconds. The seven fundamental quantities and their basic units
are shown on the next page.

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Table 1.3.2. The seven fundamental quantities

Physical
Definition Unit Symbol
Quantity

length the distance between two points meter m

mass amount of matter in an object kilogram kg

time the interval between two events seconds s

the average kinetic energy of

temperature Kelvin K
particles in a body

amount of size of elementary particles in a

mole mol
substance substance

electric current the flow of electric charges ampere A

the measure of power emitted

luminous intensity candela cd
by a light source

Units of measurements that are derived from fundamental units are called derived units.
Some derived SI units are listed in the table below:

Table 1.3.3. Some derived SI units

Quantity Units Symbol

area square meter

volume cubic meter

density kilogram per cubic meter

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speed meter per second

force kilogram meter per second squared (or

Newtons)

energy kilogram meter squared per second

squared (or Joule)

Did You Know?

Up until 2018, the basis for the kilogram unit was the mass of the
platinum-iridium alloy kept at the International Bureau of Weights and
Measures (IBWM). The alloy is also referred to as the international
prototype of the kilogram (or IPK). However, the standard for the kilogram
value was replaced in the same year by the Kibble balance which
accurately measures mass against an electromagnetic force.

Fig. 1 . (a) A replica of the International Prototype of the kilogram and (b) a
Kibble balance

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Significant Figures
Measurements depend on the tool used. For example, a pencil may be measured using two
different rulers as seen in the figure below.

Fig. 2. A pencil measuring more than 7 cm

Using the first ruler, you are certain that the pencil is more than 7 cm, but you are not sure
however if it is 7.5, 7.6, or 7.7 cm. The first digit 7 is certain but the second digit is “a
guess.” The length of the pencil is then reported as 7.5 cm wherein you are sure of the digit
7, while 5 is a guess.

Fig. 3. A pencil measuring more than 7.6 cm

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Using the second ruler, you are sure that the pencil is more than 7.6 cm. You can guess that
it can be around 7.69 cm. You can record the length of the pencil therefore as 7.69 cm
wherein you are sure of the digits 7 and 6, while 9 is a guess.

Fig. 4. A pencil measuring approximately 7.69 cm

In recording measurements, you should always retain only one uncertain digit. All digits
that you are sure of and the one uncertain digit are called significant figures. Using the
first ruler, you can get a measurement with two significant figures in 7.5 cm. For the second
ruler, you can measure with three significant figures, 7.69 cm.

How do you determine significant figures when presented with quantitative data? If the
quantitative data is obtained from measurements, there are some rules that you need to
follow to determine the number of significant figures when given quantitative data.

1. All nonzero digits are significant.

Number Significant figures

1 234 4

0.567 3

89.981 5

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2. Zeros between nonzero digits are significant.

Number Significant figures

1 001 4

0.8903 3

45.001 5

3. In a decimal number less than 1, zeros before the first nonzero digit (leading zeros)
are not significant.

Number Significant figures

0.001234 4

0.0202 3

0.00089023 5

4. Zeros after the last nonzero digit (trailing zeros) in a number with a decimal are
significant.

Number Significant figures

1.910 4

0.0670 3

1.0910 5

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5. Zeros after the last nonzero digit (trailing zeros) without a decimal point are not
significant.

Number Significant figures

12 340 4

101 000 3

299 740 000 5

Tips
In determining significant figures, remember the following:
● All nonzero digits are significant.
● Zeros between nonzero digits are significant.
● Zeros to the right of a nonzero digit after a decimal point are
significant.

Scientific Notation
Some measurements are very large like the speed of light which is around 300 000 000
m/s or very small like the average thickness of the hair is around 0.000 002 meters. It will
take up too much space and time to write all these numbers. A more convenient way of
writing these numbers is to rewrite them in scientific notation. Scientific notation is a
systematic way of writing very large or very small numbers.

Scientific notation is written as

C.MM × 10 e

where C is the characteristic digit, M is the mantissa digit, and e is the number of times the

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characteristic and mantissa digits are multiplied by 10. The characteristic and mantissa
digits comprise the coefficient. The coefficient is any decimal number greater than or equal
to 1 but less than 10.

Writing Scientific Notations

To convert to scientific notation, the decimal place must be moved to create a decimal
number greater than or equal to 1 but less than 10.

Step 1: For whole numbers, move the decimal point to the left until one nonzero
digit remains to the left of the decimal point. For decimal numbers, move the
decimal point to the right until one non-zero digit remains to the left of the
decimal point. This will be the coefficient.

Step 2: The exponent (e) will be the number of times that a decimal point is moved.
● If the decimal point is moved to the left, the exponent is positive.
● If the decimal point is moved to the right, the exponent will be
negative.

Step 3: Express the final answer as C.MM × 10 e.

Converting Scientific Notations to Decimal Form

To convert scientific notation to its long decimal form, the decimal place must be moved
based on the sign of the exponent.

Step 1: The exponent will be the number of times the decimal point should be
moved. If the exponent is positive, move the decimal point to the right. If the
exponent is negative, move the decimal point to the left.

Step 2: Place zeros as placeholders.

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Worked Examples
Example 1
Determine the number of significant figures in the following numbers. Assume that the
numbers came from measurements.
1. 2.71828
2. 8 900
3. 3.14150
4. 0.004980
5. 3302.018
Answers:
1. six significant figures. All nonzero digits are significant (Rule 1 ).
2. two significant figures. The zeros after the digit 9 are trailing and there is no
decimal point after. The zeros are not significant (Rule 5 ).
3. six significant figures. The zero after the digit 5 is significant because it is found
after a nonzero digit on the right side of a decimal point (Rule 4 ).
4. four significant figures. The leading zeros are not significant before the digit 4
because the decimal is less than 1 (Rule 3 ). The zero after 8 is significant because it
is found after a nonzero digit on the right side of the decimal point (Rule 3 ).
5. seven significant figures. Zeros in between the digits 3 and 2, and 2 and 1 are
significant (Rule 2 ).

Let’s Practice
Determine the number of significant figures in the following numbers. Assume that the
numbers came from measurements.
a. 54.6789
b. 45 300
c. 5.200
d. 0.030700
e. 100.000

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Example 2
Convert 162 000 000 000 to scientific notation.

Solution
Step 1: The given number is a whole number. The decimal point will be moved 11
times to the left until only one nonzero digit remains to the left of the decimal
point. The coefficient will be 1.62 000 000 000

Step 2: The decimal point is moved 11 times to the left. Hence, the exponent is 11.

Thus, the final answer is 1.62 × 10 11.

Let’s Practice
Convert 954 000 000 000 000 000 to scientific notation.

Example 3
Convert 0.000 551 to scientific notation.

Solution
Step 1: The given number is a decimal number. The decimal point will be moved 4
times to the right until only one nonzero digit remains to the left of the
decimal point. The coefficient will be 5.51

Step 2: The decimal point is moved 4 times to the right. Hence, the exponent is –4.

Therefore, the final answer is 5.51 × 10 -4.

Let’s Practice
Convert 0. 000 000 000 000 034 to scientific notation.

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Example 4
Convert 5.97 × 10 9 to decimal form.

Solution
Step 1: The exponent is +9. Thus, the decimal point will be moved 9 times to the
right.

5.97 → 5 9 7 _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Step 2: Place zeros as placeholders.

The answer is 5 970 000 000 .

Let’s Practice
Convert 1.25 × 10 12 to decimal form.

Example 5
Convert 9.11 × 10 -3 to decimal form.

Solution
Step 1: The exponent is –3. Thus, the decimal point will be moved 3 times to the left.

9.11 → _ _ 9 1 1

Step 2: Place zeros as placeholders.

The answer is 0.00911 .

Let’s Practice
Convert 4.65 × 10 -6 to decimal form.

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Key Points

● Measurement is the process of finding out how many measuring units are
contained in an event or object based on a certain set of standards.
● The seven fundamental quantities are length, mass, time, temperature, amount
of substance, electric current, and luminous intensity.
● All digits that you are sure of and the one uncertain digit are called significant
figures.
● A more convenient way of writing very large or very small numbers is to rewrite
them in scientific notation.

Check Your Understanding

A. Identify the SI unit of measurement and prefix to be used for the following quantities.

________________ 1. the distance of Quezon City to Manila

________________ 2. the mass of a newborn baby

________________ 3. the number of oxygen atoms in a grain of sand

________________ 4. the height of a basketball player

________________ 5. the electric current flowing from a power bank to a mobile

phone

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B. Determine the number of significant figures in the following numbers.

________________ 1. 8900

________________ 2. 3.14150

________________ 3. 0.004980

________________ 4. 12.08021

________________ 5. 0.03041

C. Convert the following numbers to scientific notation.

________________ 1. 300000000 m/s

________________ 2. 602000000000000000000000 particles

________________ 3. 0.000000000123 kg

________________ 4. 0.08021 L

________________ 5. 0.00000000000000000000000000138 m

D. Convert the following scientific notation to decimal form.

________________ 1. 6.67 x 10 -11 N

________________ 2. 1.22 x 10 7 kg

________________ 3. 1.01 x 10 5 Pa

________________ 4. 2.25 x 10 -18 km

________________ 5. 8.85 x 10 -3 C

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Bibliography

“Math Skills Review: Scientific Notation.” Texas A&M University. Accessed March 15, 2022.
https://www.chem.tamu.edu/class/fyp/mathrev/mr-scnot.html.

“Significant Figures.” Purdue University. Accessed March 15, 2022.

http://chemed.chem.purdue.edu/genchem/topicreview/bp/ch1/sigfigs.html.

Tradler, Samar ElHitti, Marianna Bonanome, Holly Carley, Thomas, and Lin Zhou. 2021.
“Scientific Notation.” CUNY New York City College of Technology & NYC College of
Technology . October 6, 2021. https://math.libretexts.org/@go/page/45006 .

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Answer to Let’s Practice

1. Determine the number of significant figures in the following numbers. Assume that
the numbers came from measurements.
Answer:
a. 54.6789
Answer: six significant figures
b. 45 300
Answer: five significant figures
c. 5.200
Answer: four significant figures
d. 0.030700
Answer: five significant figures
e. 100.000
Answer: six significant figures

2. Convert 954 000 000 000 000 000 to scientific notation.

Answer: 9.54 ✕ 10 17
3. Convert 0. 000 000 000 000 034 to scientific notation.
Answer: 3.4 ✕ 10 -14
4. Convert 1.25 × 1012 to decimal form.
Answer: 1 250 000 000 000
5. Convert 4.65 × 10-6 to decimal form.
Answer: 0.000 004 56

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