9/16/15
First, fold your paper
in half like this.
Not this.
Significant Figures
© Carey Munoz
© Carey Munoz
You need four “flaps.”
To cut
“flaps,” cut
only the top
half of the
folded
paper.
1
2
3
There are four flaps of information.
4
All Digits
1-9
Leading
Zeros
0.0035
© Carey Munoz
Do not write
these numbers
on your flaps!
Captive
Zeros
Trailing
Zeros
8.08
5,400
2,009
1.980
© Carey Munoz
1
9/16/15
Examples
v 34.6
All digits 1-9
ARE Significant
1
2
3
4
v 24
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
v 1.6
v 0.258
© Carey Munoz
© Carey Munoz
Examples
Leading zeros are
zeros in front of a
number OR Decimal.
Leading zeros
v 0.0025
1
2
3
4
v 0.1
These leading
zeros are
NEVER
considered
significant.
v 0.000087
ARE NEVER
Significant!
© Carey Munoz
v 0.76
© Carey Munoz
2
9/16/15
Examples
Captive zeros are
Zeros caught in
between nonzero
digits
v 102
1
2
3
4
v 1.009
Captive
Zeros ARE
significant.
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
v 2,000,874
Captive zeros ARE
significant
v 4,006
© Carey Munoz
© Carey Munoz
Examples
Trailing zeros are
Zeros at the right
end of a number.
v 1.00
1
Trailing zeros ARE significant
ONLY IF there is a decimal
anywhere in the number
© Carey Munoz
2
3
4
v 1.0090
v 2,000
v 2,000.
Trailing
zeros are
significant
ONLY IF
there is a
decimal
anywhere in
the number.
v 456.940
v 509,820
v 6.200
© Carey Munoz
3
9/16/15
Special Rule #1
All digits are significant when
using correct scientific notation.
Flip to the back
Add your
name and
class period.
We have four
“special” rules
for the back.
Back of foldable
Number
# significant zeros
# of significant digits
1.00 x 10-3
2
3
1.001 x 105
2
4
Special Rule #2
A decimal can be added to indicate that final zeros are significant.
The back should not be cut.
© Carey Munoz
# significant zeros
# of significant digits
100
0
1
100.
2
3
1000
0
1
1000.
3
4
© Carey Munoz
Special Rule #3
A bar can be used above any
zero to indicate significant zeros.
Back of foldable
Number
# significant zeros
# of significant digits
10,000
0
1
10,000
1
2
10,000
2
3
10,000
3
4
10,000
4
5
© Carey Munoz
Number
Special Rule #4
The type of math calculation you
perform determine how many
sig. figs you answer to.
Back of foldable
+ or Round answer to lowest # DECIMAL PLACES
from the problem.
x or ÷
Round answer to lowest # SIG. FIGS from
the problem.
© Carey Munoz
4