UNITS AND MEASUREMENTS

(ii) In multiplication or division, the number of significant figures in the final result should be
equal to the number of significant figures in the quantity having the smallest number of
significant figures.
Ex: (a) 1.21 ×0.12 = 0.14 (but not 0.1452)
(b) (but not 4.7833)

Rounding of the uncertain digits

(i) If the digit to be dropped in a number is less than 5, then the preceding digit remains
unchanged.
Ex: 1.344 is rounded as 1.34

(ii) If the digit to be dropped in a number is greater than 5, then the preceding digit is raised by 1.
Ex: 1.346 is rounded as 1.35

(iii) If the digit to be dropped in a number is 5, then

(a) the preceding digit remains unchanged if it is EVEN.
Ex: 1.345 is rounded as 1.34
(b) the preceding digit is raised by 1, if it is ODD.
Ex: 1.375 is rounded as 1.38

Dimensions of physical quantities: Dimensions of a physical quantity are the power to which the
base quantities are raised to represent the physical quantity.

Note: Dimensions of a physical quantity explain its relationship with fundamental quantities. All
the derived physical quantities can be expressed in terms of some combination of seven
fundamental quantities. Dimensions of a physical quantity are denoted with square bracket.

Symbols for dimensions of fundamental quantities

Base quantity Symbol for its dimension
Length [L]
Mass [M]
Time [T]
Current [A]
Thermodynamic temperature [K]
Luminous intensity [cd]
Amount of substance [mol]
-
Ex: Dimensions of force are . Hence force has one dimension in mass, one dimension in
length and -2 dimensions in time.

Dimensional formula: Expression of physical quantity in terms of the base quantities is called
dimensional formula.
Ex: Dimensional formula of volume is , Dimensional formula of Speed is

Dimensional equation: Equation obtained by equating a physical quantity with its dimensional
formula is called dimensional equation.
Ex: ,

U N Swamy, Lecturer in Physics, GPUC Aranakatte, Hiriyur Taluk Page | 9