RULES FOR WORKING WITH SIGNIFICANT FIGURES:

1. All non-zero digits are always significant.

2. Leading zeros are never significant.
Imbedded zeros are always significant.
Trailing zeros are significant only if the decimal point is specified.

EXAMPLES:

Example Number of Scientific

Significant Notation
Figures
0.00682 3 6.82 x 10-3 Leading zeros are not significant.

1.072 4 1.072 x 100 Imbedded zeros are always significant.

300 1 3 x 102 Trailing zeros are significant only if the decimal point is
specified.
300. 3 3.00 x 102
300.0 4 3.000 x 102

ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION OF SIGNIFICANT FIGURES:

In addition and subtraction we consider the significant figures on the right side of decimal point. This means
that only as many digits are to be retained to the right side of decimal point as the number with fewest digits to
the right of the decimal point.

Example:
4.345
+ 23.5
27.845 (actual answer by using calculator)
27.8 Answer after rounding off

28.5
– 19.31
9.19 (actual answer by using calculator)
9.2 Answer after rounding off:

MULTIPLICATON AND DIVISION OF SIGNIFICANT FIGURES:

In multiplication and division , the number obtained after calculation of two or more numbers must have no
more significant figure than that number used in multiplication or division.

Example:
4.3458
X 2.7
11.73366(actual answer by using calculator)
12 Answer after rounding off (because 2.7 has only two significant figures)

ROUNDING OFF SIGNIFICANT FIGURES:

Rule # 1:
If the digit to be dropped is greater than 5, then add "1" to the last digit to be retained and drop all digits farther
to the right.

Example:
3.677 is rounded off to 3.68 if we need three significant figures in measurement.
3.677 is rounded off to 3.7 if we need two significant figures in measurement.

Rule # 2:
If the digit to be dropped is less than 5, then simply drop it without adding any number to the last digit.

Example:
6.632 is rounded off to 6.63 if we need three significant figures in measurement.
6.632 is rounded off to 6.6 if we need two significant figures in measurement.

SCIENTIFIC NOTATION is a short way of writing a very large or very small numbers.
REMEMBER:
 The coefficient must be a number greater than or equal to 1 and smaller than 10.
 The exponent is based on how many times the decimal point moves to the left or to the right.

TO WRITE A NUMBER IN SCIENTIFIC NOTATION:

1) Create a number between 1 to 9 by moving the decimal point to the right or left.
2) Count how many places the decimal had to be moved.
3) If the decimal had to be moved to the LEFT, the exponent is POSITIVE.
4) If the decimal had to be moved to the RIGHT, the exponent is NEGATIVE.
Examples:
 2,300, 000 2.3 x 106
 0.000 235 2.35 x 10- 4

TO WRITE SCIENTIFIC NOTATION INTO STANDARD FORM:

1) Move the decimal point to the right or left based on the number indicated by the exponent.
2) A POSITIVE EXPONENT means that the NUMBER IS GREATER THAN 1 and DECIMAL POINT IS MOVE to
the RIGHT.
3) A NEGATIVE EXPONENT means that the NUMBER IS LESS THAN 1 and DECIMAL POINT IS MOVE to the
LEFT.
Examples:
 9.135 x 106 9, 135, 000
 7.35 x 10- 5 0.000 073 5

Rule for Addition and Subtraction:

1. To add or subtract numbers written in scientific notation, you must express them with the same power of ten.
Examples:
(3.8 x 103) + (2.16 x 103)
(3.8 + 2. 16) x 103
Answer = 5.96 x 103
 If the two numbers are not expressed as the same power of ten, one of the numbers will have to be
rewritten in the same power of ten as the other.
Examples:
(5.8 x 103) + (2.16 x 104)
0.58 x 104 + (2.16 x 104)
(0.58 + 2.16) x 104
Answer = 2.74 x 104
Or
(5.8 x 103) + (2.16 x 104)
(5.8 x 103) + (21.6x 103)
(5.8 + 21.6) x 103 = 27.4 x 103

Answer = 2.74 x 104

REMEMBER:
 If the decimal point is moved to the left, the exponent will get bigger.

 If the decimal point is moved to the right, the exponent will get smaller.

RULE FOR MULTIPLICATION:

1. When multiplying numbers written in scientific notation, multiply the first factors and ADD THE EXPONENTS.
Example:
(3.2 x 10-3) x (2.1 x 105)
(3.2 x 2.1) and (10-3 + 5)
Answer: 6.7 x 102

RULE FOR DIVISION:

1. Divide the numerator by the denominator and SUBTRACT THE EXPONENT in the denominator from the
exponent in the numerator.
Example:
6.4 x 106
1.7 x 102
Divide 6.4 by 1.7
subtract the exponent (106 - 2)
Answer: 3.8 x 104