1. Significant Figures Significant figures in a measurement includes all of the digits that are known, plus a last digit that is estimated. All measurements are approximations……. no measuring device can give perfect measurements without experimental uncertainty. The numbers reported in a measurement are limited by the measuring tool

2. Read the bottom of the meniscus This cylinder is accurate to the ones place = 35 mL We can see that the meniscus falls right on the line for 35, so we estimate to the tens place = 35.0 mL

3. Significant figures (sig figs)  When we measure something, we can (and do) always estimate between the smallest marks. 21345 4.5 cm

4. Significant figures (sig figs)  The better marks the better we can estimate.  Scientist always understand that the last number measured is actually an estimate. 21345 4.55 cm

5. Significant figures (sig figs)  The measurements we write down tells us how accurate the ruler is that we measured with 141 142 142.13cm

6. Counting Significant Figures SF? 38.15 cm 5.6 ft 65.6 lb 122.55 m All non-zero digits are significant. ANSWERS 4 2 3 5

7. Counting Significant Figures Any zero between nonzero digits are significant. SF? 50.8 mm 2001 mi 0.702 lb 0.00405 ANSWERS 3 4 3 THE SANDWICHED ZEROS

8. Counting Significant Figures All zeroes to the left of nonzero digits are not significant. SF? 0.008 mm 0.0156 oz 0.0042 lb 0.000262 mL ANSWERS 1 3 2 3 PLACE HOLDERS, ONLY

9. Counting Significant Figures Zeroes to the right of nonzero digits ARE significant if a decimal pt. is present. SF? 25.00 in. 0.0200 yr 1.0 gal ANSWERS 4 3 2 IF THEY WEREN’T SIGNIFICANT THEN WE WOULDN’T WRITE THEM

10. Zeroes to the right of nonzero digits ARE NOT significant if a decimal pt. is absent. Counting Significant Figures SF? 25,000 in. 200 yr 48,600 gal ANSWERS 2 1 3 ONLY BEING USED AS PLACE HOLDERS

11. Adding and Subtracting The answer has the same number of decimal places as the measurement with the fewest decimal places. 25.2 one decimal place + 1.34 two decimal places 26.54 answer 26.5 one decimal place

12. Multiplying and Dividing Round (or add zeros) to the calculated answer until you have the same number of significant figures as the measurement with the fewest significant figures.

13. Learning Check A. 2.19 X 4.2 = 1) 9 2) 9.2 3) 9.198 B. 4.311 ÷ 0.07 = 1) 61.58 2) 62 3) 60 C. 2.54 X 0.0028 = 0.0105 X 0.060 1) 11.32) 11 3) 0.041