Significant Figures Scientific Notation

Front

What are significant figures?

Back

Significant figures are the digits in a number that contribute to its precision. This includes all non-zero digits, any zeros between significant digits, and trailing zeros in the decimal portion.

Front

How do you convert a number to scientific notation?

Back

To convert a number to scientific notation, move the decimal point to create a number between 1 and 10, then multiply by 10 raised to the power of the number of places the decimal was moved.

Front

Convert 0.0005 to scientific notation.

Back

5 x 10^-4

Front

How many significant figures are in the number 0.002040?

Back

4 significant figures.

Front

What is the rule for significant figures in addition and subtraction?

Back

In addition and subtraction, the result should be reported to the least number of decimal places of any number in the operation.

Front

What is the rule for significant figures in multiplication and division?

Back

In multiplication and division, the result should have the same number of significant figures as the number with the least significant figures in the operation.

Front

Calculate (6.9 x 10^7) / (2.3 x 10^-3) and report to the correct number of significant figures.

Back

3.0 x 10^10

Front

Calculate 9544 lbs - 321 lbs and report to the correct number of significant figures.

Back

9223 lbs

Front

Calculate 12.34 + 1.234 + 0.1234 and report to the correct number of significant figures.

Back

13.70

Front

What is the significance of trailing zeros in a decimal number?

Back

Trailing zeros in a decimal number are significant because they indicate precision. For example, 2.300 has four significant figures.