Significant Figures : Rules. round off, examples and practice quiz
We need to know Scientific Notation before learning about Significant Figures.Lets dive into that first, and then we will move to Significant Figures and how to calculate the significant digits in numbers
Scientific Notation
In which any number can be represented in the form $N \times 10^n$ (Where n is an exponent having positive or negative values and N can vary between 1 to 10).
e.g. We can write $162.108$ as $1.62108 \times 10^2$ in scientific notation. Similarly, $0.00021$ can be written as $2.1 \times 10^{-4}$
scientific notation addition and subtraction
In this case, we need to express both the numbers in same exponent form and then perform addition or multiplication of the number as usual
Every experimental observation has some amount of uncertainty associated with it Precision: refers to the closeness of various measurements for the same quantity. Accuracy: is the agreement of a particular value to the true value of the result Example
Suppose true value of quantity is \(3\) and two measurement taken are \(2.91 , 2.92\). They are precise as they close to each other but they are not accurate.
The measurement \(2.98\) and \(3.01\) are accurate as they are close to true value
Significant figures are meaningful digits which are known with certainty. Those are certain values and following rules are used to determine the number of significant figures
Rules for Significant Figures
All non – zero digits are significant
For example : In \(185\) significant figure is \(3\)
\(2195\) significant figure - \(4\)
Zero, proceeding to 1st non – zero digit are not significant. Such zero indicates the position of decimal point.
For example : 0.03 – significant figure 1
Zero between non – zero digits are significant
For example : 2.005 – significant figure 4
1001 – significant figure 4
All zeros placed to the right of a number are significant. For example, 16.0 has three significant figures, while 16.00 has four significant figures. Zeros at the end of a number without decimal point are ambiguous.
In exponential notations, the numerical portion represents the number of significant figures. For example, $0.00045$ is expressed as $4.5 \times 10^{-4}$ in terms of scientific notations. The number of significant figures in this number is 2, while in Avogadro's number ($6.023 \times 10^{23}$ )it is four.
Rounding off Significant Figures
The rounding off procedure is applied to retain the required number of significant figures.
If the digit coming after the desired number of significant figures happens to be more than 5, the preceding significant figure is increased by one, 5.318 is rounded off to 5.32
If the digit involved is less than 5, it is neglected and the preceding significant figure remains unchanged, 4.312 is rounded off to 4.31.
If the digit happens to be 5, the last mentioned or preceding significant figure is increased by one only in case it happens to be odd. In case of even figure, the preceding digit remains unchanged. 8.375 is rounded off to 8.38 while 8.365 is rounded off to 8.36.
addition and subtraction significant figures
The result should be reported to the same no. of decimal places as in the term having least no. of decimal places.Your final answer may have no more significant figures to the right of the decimal than the LEAST number of significant figures in any number in the problem.
addition and subtraction significant figures examples
\(10.1 + 1.52 + 2.301 = 4.921\) Answer \(4.9\)
\(2.52 + 1.11 + 2.222 = 5.852\) Answer \(5.85\)
\(5.4 - 2.1\)
\(= 3.3\)
multiplying and dividing significant figures:
Result should be reported up to the same no. of significant figure as present in least precisive number.So The LEAST number of significant figures in any number of the problem determines the number of significant figures in the answer
multiplying and dividing significant figures examples
\(2.210 \times 0.011\)
\(= .024312\)
\(= 0.024\)
\(1.01 \times 0.02\)
\(= 0.0202\)
\(= 0.02\)
\(\frac {4.24}{0.2}\)
\(= 21.2\)
\(=20\)
We also have a Worksheet on Significant Figures (link opens in new window). You can do significant figures related questions practice using this worksheet.
significant figures examples with answers
Question 1
Round off up to 3 significant figure the below numbers
(a) 4.135
(b) 5.125 Answer
By following the rounding rules ,we get
(a) 4.14
(b) 5.12
Question 2
Express the following in the scientific notation with 2 significant figures-
(a) 0.0023
(b) 586,00
(c) 100.0 Answer
(a) $2.3 \times 10^{-3}$
(b) $5.9 \times 10^{-4}$
(c) $1.0 \times 10^2$ Question 3
Round 451.45 to four, three, and two significant digits Answer
(a) 451.4
(b) 451
(c) 450
Dimensional Analysis
During calculations generally there is a need to convert units from one system to other. This is called factor label method or unit factor method or dimensional analysis.
We know that
1 inch = 2.54 x 10-2 m
This is can be written as
1 inch/ 2.54 x 10-2 m =1
Or
2.54 x 10-2 m / 1 inch= 1
The above two are called Unit factors and it can be used to convert unit from one system to another
