SIGNIFICANT

FIGURES
SIGNIFICANT FIGURES
Refers to particular digits in a number.
These are sometimes called significant
digits.

NOTE:
Only those figures or digits of a numerical quantity which are the result of
actual measurement are said to be significant.
RULES IN SIGNIFICANTS FIGURES
1. All numbers that are not zero are significant.
1.234 ---- 4 Significant Figures
2. Zeros in the middle of non-zero numbers are significant.
5.008 ---- 4 Significant Figures
3. Zeros after the decimal are significant.
43.000 ---- 5 Significant Figures
4. Leading or beginning zeros are NOT significant.
0.004 ---- 1 Significant Figure
5. Zeros in a large number WITHOUT decimal are NOT significant.
4 000 ---- 1 Significant Figure
Rounding to significant figures
The method of rounding to a significant figure is often used as it can be
applied to any kind of number, regardless of how big or small it is.
To round to a significant figure:
1. look at the first non-zero digit if rounding to one significant figure
2. look at the digit after the first non-zero digit if rounding to two significant
figures
3. draw a vertical line after the place value digit that is required
4. look at the next digit
5. if it's 5 or more, increase the previous digit by one
6. if it's 4 or less, keep the previous digit the same
7. fill any spaces to the right of the line with zeros, stopping at the decimal
point if there is one
Examples
Round 53,879 to 1 significant figure, then 2 significant figures.
•5|3879 to 1 significant figure is 50,000
•53|879 to 2 significant figures is 54,000

Round 0.005089 to 1 significant figure, then 2 significant figures.

•0.005|089 to 1 significant figure is 0.005
•0.0050|89 to 2 significant figures is 0.0051
ADDING & SUBTRACTING

• Look for the LEAST amount of decimal PLACES.

EXAMAPLE:
2.34 + 5004 + 481.44

5004
481.44
2.34
5487.78
Round Up

5488
Multiplying & Dividing
• Look for the LEAST amount of SIGNIFICANT FIGURES.

EXAMPLE:
24.5 x 63.2751
3 sig figs 6 sig figs

=1150.23995

1150
3 Significant Figures
EXACT NUMBERS
Exact numbers can be considered to have an unlimited number of significant
figures, as such calculations are not subject to error in measurement.

1. Number obtained by counting or from definition are exact number. They are
known to be absolutely accurate.
• 1 dozen of eggs=12 eggs
• 1 minute=60 seconds
• 1 inch=2.54 cm
2. Numbers obtained from measurements are not exact. Every measurements
involves estimation.
THANK YOU!