Significant

Figures
• Measurements always have
uncertainty.

•
Significant figures are the number
of digits that are certain (can be
measured) and the first uncertain
digit.
1. All non-zero numbers are
significant.
1. All non-zero numbers are significant.
2. Zeros between non-zero numbers are
significant.
1. All non-zero numbers are significant.
2. Zeros between non-zero numbers are
significant.
3. Leading zeros are NEVER
significant.
1. All non-zero numbers are significant.
2. Zeros between non-zero numbers are
significant.
3. Leading zeros are NEVER
significant.
4. Zeros on the end of a number are
significant only if there is a decimal
point.
 Rule #1
All non-zero numbers are significant.

00340.003210
 Rule #2 –
Zeros between non-zero numbers
are significant.

00340.003210
 Rule #3
Leading zeros are NEVER significant.

00340.003210
 Rule #4
Zeros on the end of a number are
significant if there is a decimal.

00340.003210
00340.00
00340.00
5
Rules 1 & 4
800.1
800.1
4
Rules 1 & 2
0800.10
0800.10
5
Rules 1, 2, & 4
800
800
1
Rules 1
&4
800.
 800.
3
Rules 1 & 4
1. Determine the number of significant
figures in the decimal portion of each of
the numbers in the problem.

2. Add or subtract the numbers.

3. Round the answer to match the least

number of places in the decimal portion
of any number in the problem.
892.542g
20.629g
0.18g
4.20g
917.551
 892.542g
20.629g
0.18g
4.20g
917.551
The least amount of significant figures to the right of the
decimal in the numbers is 2; therefore, the answer should only
have 2 significant figures to the right of the decimal.

917.55 g
Add 0.03 g of NaCl to 155 g of water.
What is the total mass?
Add 0.03 g of NaCl to 155 g of water.
What is the total mass?

155 g because the mass of water has no

decimal places, so the final answer
must be written with no decimal
places.
1. Determine how many significant figures
each number being multiplied or
divided has, and note which number has
the fewest.

2. Complete the calculation.

3. Write the answer using the same number

of significant figures as the least number
of significant figures found in the
numbers used in the calculation.
28.3 cm X 5.0 cm = _cm2
 28.3 cm X 5.0 cm = _cm2

140 cm2 because 28.3 has 3

significant
figures, and 5.0 has 2 significant
figures; therefore, the answer 141.5
should be written 140, so that it only
has 2 significant figures.
 454.02 g of aluminum hydroxide
multiplied by 5.2 g equals how many
grams?
 454.02 g of aluminum hydroxide
multiplied by 5.2 g equals how many
grams?

2400 g2 because 454.02 has 5 significant

figures and 5.2 has 2 significant figures;
therefore, the answer 2360.904 should be
written as 2400, so that it only has 2
significant figures.
4. For values written in scientific
notation, the digits are only
significant if a decimal point is
shown.

5. In a common logarithm, there are as

many digits after the decimal point
as there are significant figures in the
original number.
Expanded Notation Scientific Notation
0.00263 moles

1.90 X 10-7 moles

2.5935 X 103 grams

100,000 milliliters