1. Lesson Objectives
Know how perform mathematical operations using significant figures

2. Operations w/Significant Figures
When performing mathematical operations, you are dealing with more than one measurement
Each measurement you use in an equation may come from a different measuring device
Your final answer must reflect least precise of your measurements

3. Operations w/Significant Figures
To show this, in equations we must find this measurement which is known as the limiting term or limiting measurement
In multiplication and division, this measurement is the one with the least number of significant figures

4. Limiting Term Examples
32 6, 8

5. Limiting Term Examples
0.04

6. Limiting Term Examples
,745
300

7. Operations w/Significant Figures
After you know the limiting term, you use your calculator to perform the operation
If the calculator displays more significant figures than the limiting measurement, you must round to that many significant figures
If the calculator does not display enough significant figures, you must add zeros after the decimal point

8. Multiplication Examples
Calculator 
Round  23

9. Multiplication Examples
Calculator 
Round  11.3

10. Multiplication Examples
Calculator  0.008
Round 

11. Multiplication Examples
Calculator  164,100
Round  200,000

12. Division Examples
3.6 / 5
Calculator  0.72
Round  0.7

13. Division Examples
/ 0.020
Calculator 
Round  0.38

14. 570 / 56 Calculator  10.17857143 Round  10 Scientific  1.0 x 101
Division Examples
570 / 56
Calculator 
Round  10
Scientific  1.0 x 101

15. Operations w/Significant Figures
In addition and subtraction, the limiting measurement is the one with the least number of decimal places
If both numbers have no decimal places, the limiting term is the one with the most trailing zeros

16. Limiting Term Examples
,099
1,099

17. Limiting Term Examples
780.2

18. Limiting Term Examples
32 6,
All the same

19. Operations w/Significant Figures
After you know the limiting term, you use your calculator to perform the operation
If the calculator displays more places than the limiting measurement, you must round to that decimal place or to the place of the rightmost significant figure

20. Operations w/Significant Figures
If the calculator does not display enough places, you must add zeros after the decimal point to fill those places

21. Addition Examples
Calculator 
Round  24.1

22. Addition Examples 2,
Calculator  2,890
Round  2,890.0

23. Subtraction Examples
45.82 – 22.7
Calculator  23.12
Round  23.1

24. Subtraction Examples
1,870 – 0.42
Calculator  1,869.58
Round  1,870