Lentz/Wolfe
Rules for Significant Figures
Non-zero digits: are ALWAYS significant
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Ex. 5891 has 4 significant digit (sig figs)
1 2 3 4
Zero Digits:
Captive zeros: are ALWAYS significant
Ex. 22.05 has 4 sig figs
Captive (surrounded by other numbers)
Ex. 100203.601 has 9 sig figs
Leading zeros: are NEVER significant
Ex. 0.25 has 2 sig figs
Zeros are placeholders only
Ex. 0.0036 has 2 sig figs
Trailing zeros: are only significant when a DECIMAL
.
is present
Ex. 500 has only 1 sig fig because there is NO decimal present
Ex. 500. Has 3 sig figs because there is a decimal
EXAMPLE:
00413.900034200
#1. Count the number of non zero digits
00413.900034200
(7)
#2. Count the number of captive zeros
00413.900034200
(3)
#3. Do not count the leading zeros
00413.900034200
#4. If the number includes a DECIMAL, count the trailing zeros
*(If there is no decimal, do not count the trailing zeros)
00413.900034200
(2)
*There are 7+3+2= 12 sig figs
Significant Figures and Scientific Notation
3.01 x 10-3
Exponent
Coefficient: This is the only thing you look at when determining sig figs
There are 3 sig figs in this notation