1. Unit I: Introduction to Math and Measurement Use Current Lessons on student information page and access Introduction to Math and Measurement to supplement this outline’s notes. Reference: www.physicsphenomena.com

2. Topic List 1. Measurement: The Metric System 2. Working with Large & Small Measurements: Significant Digits 3. Handling Measurements in Calculations 4. Displaying & Processing Data

3. 1. Measurement A. Metric System B. Fundamental Units of Measure C. Derived Units of Measure D. Working with Metric Measurements –Rule for Adding and Subtracting measurements

4. 1. Measurement cont’d –Rule for Adding and Subtracting measurements: The units must be the same when adding or subtracting. –Rule for Multiplying and Dividing measurements: The units must be kept unless they actually “cancel out”. –Rule for other operations: Same as for multiplication and division

5. Examples: Addition Subtraction Multiplication Division Other 3 cm + 5 cm = 8 cm 9 m - 4 m = 5 m 2 m X 4 m = 8 m^2 42 m / 6 s =6 m/s (7 cm)^2 = 49 cm^2

6. 2. Working with Large and Small measurements Scientific Notation: (where n is a number) The very small, n 0 The power of ten < 0 or negative example 1 x 10^-1 = 1 / 10 and 0.0762 = 7.62 x 10^-2 The very large, n > 1, but n < infinity The power of ten > 1 or positive example 1 x 10^1 = 10 and 1,440 = 1.44 x 10^3

7. 3. Displaying and Processing Data Data Charts: See graphing references in Chapter 2 and the PS#2- series in WB. Qualitative Observations and Quantitative Observations: See Intro to physics and Dictionary.com Accuracy and Precision: See Chapter 2 and PS#1-9 in the WB.

8. 3.(Continued) Handling Measurements in Calculations. The Use of Significant Digits: This is based on the precision of the measuring tool being used. The Rules of Zeros: See PS#1-9 in WB. Significant Digits in Calculations: See PS#1-11 and 1-12 in WB. It includes: –The Rules for Addition and Subtraction –The Rules for Multiplication and Division

9. 4. Graphing: Displaying Data There are many types of graphs. Typically the most common are described as one of three categories. They are: 1. The straight line representing direct variation between the x-y variables. 2. The hyperbola representing inverse variation between the x-y variables. 3. The parabola representing the direct variation between the y variable and the square of the x variable.