3
. l
2
. . . . l . . . . l
3
. . . . l . . . . l
4
. . cm
•The markings on the meter stick at the end of the
orange line are read as
the first digit 2
plus the second digit 2.7
•The last digit is obtained by estimating.
•The end of the line might beestimated between 2.7–
2.8 as half-way (0.5) or a little more (0.6), which gives
a reported length of 2.75cm or 2.76cm.
Reading a Meter Stick
4
Known & Estimated Digits
In the length reported as 2.76 cm,
•The digits 2 and 7 are certain (known).
•The final digit 6 was estimated (uncertain).
•All three digits (2.76) are significant including the
estimated digit.
5
. l
8
. . . . l . . . . l
9
. . . . l . . . . l
10
. . cm
What is the length of the orange line?
1) 9.0 cm
2) 9.03 cm
3) 9.04 cm
Learning Check
6
. l
8
. . . . l . . . . l
9
. . . . l . . . . l
10
. . cm
The length of the orange line could be reported as
2) 9.03 cm
or 3) 9.04 cm
The estimated digit may be slightly different. Both
readings are acceptable.
Solution
7
. l
3
. . . . l . . . . l
4
. . . . l . . . . l
5
. . cm
•For this measurement, the first and second known
digits are 4.5.
•Because the line ends on a mark, the estimated digit
in the hundredths place is 0.
•This measurement is reported as 4.50 cm.
Zero as a Measured Number
8
Significant Figures in
Measured Numbers
Significant figures
•obtained from a measurement include all
of the known digits plusthe estimated
digit.
•reported in a measurement depend on the
measuring tool.
9
Significant Figures
10
All non-zero numbersin a measured number are
significant.
Number of
Measurement Significant Figures
38.15 cm 4
5.6 ft 2
65.6 lb 3
122.55 m 5
Counting Significant Figures
11
Sandwiched zeros
•occur between nonzero numbers.
•are significant.
Number of
Measurement Significant Figures
50.8 mm 3
2001 min 4
0.0702 lb 3
0.40505 m 5
Sandwiched Zeros
12
Trailing zeros
•follow non-zero numbers in numbers without
decimal points.
•are usually place holders.
•are not significant.
Number of
Measurement Significant Figures
25 000cm 2
200kg 1
48 600mL 3
25 005 000g 5
Trailing Zeros
13
Leading zeros
•precede non-zero digits in a decimal number.
•are not significant.
Number of
Measurement Significant Figures
0.008mm 1
0.0156 oz 3
0.0042 lb 2
0.000262 mL 3
Leading Zeros
14
State the number of significant figures in each of
the following measurements.
A. 0.030 m
B. 4.050 L
C. 0.0008 g
D. 2.80 m
Learning Check
15
State the number of significant figures in each of
the following measurements.
A. 0.030 m 2
B. 4.050 L 4
C. 0.0008 g 1
D. 2.80 m 3
Solution
16
Significant Figures in
Scientific Notation
In scientific notation all digits including zeros in the
coefficient are significant.
Number of
Measurement Significant Figures
8 x 10
4
m 1
8.0 x 10
4
m 2
8.00 x 10
4
m 3
17
A. Which answer(s) contain 3 significant figures?
1) 0.4760 2) 0.00476 3) 4.76 x 10
3
B. All the zeros are significant in
1) 0.00307 2) 25.300 3) 2.050 x 10
3
C. The number of significant figures in 5.80 x 10
2
is
1) one 3) two 3) three
Learning Check
18
A. Which answer(s) contain 3 significant figures?
2) 0.00476 3) 4.76 x 10
3
B. All the zeros are significant in
2) 25.300 3) 2.050 x 10
3
C. The number of significant figures in 5.80 x 10
2
is
3) three
Solution
19
In which set(s) do both numbers contain the
same number of significant figures?
1) 22.0 and 22.00
2) 400.0 and 40
3) 0.000015 and 150 000
Learning Check
20
Solution
In which set(s) do both numbers contain the same
number of significant figures?
3) 0.000015 and 150 000
Both numbers contain two (2) significant figures.
21
Examples of Exact Numbers
An exact numberis obtained
•when objects are counted.
Counted objects
2 soccer balls
4 pizzas
•from numbers in a defined relationship.
Defined relationships
1 foot = 12 inches
1 meter = 100 cm
22
Exact Numbers
23
Learning Check
A. Exact numbers are obtained by
1. using a measuring tool.
2. counting.
3. definition.
B. Measured numbers are obtained by
1. using a measuring tool.
2. counting.
3. definition.
24
Solution
A. Exact numbers are obtained by
2. counting.
3. definition.
B. Measured numbers are obtained by
1. using a measuring tool.
25
Learning Check
Classify each of the following as (1) exact or (2) measured
numbers.
A.__Gold melts at 1064°C.
B.__1 yard = 3 feet
C.__The diameter of a red blood cell is 6 x 10
-4
cm.
D.__There are 6 hats on the shelf.
E.__A can of soda contains 355 mL of soda.
26
Classify each of the following as (1) exact or (2) measured
numbers.
A. 2 A measuring tool is required.
B. 1 This is a defined relationship.
C. 2 A measuring tool is used to determine
length.
D. 1 The number of hats is obtained by counting.
E. 2 The volume of soda is measured.
Solution