Significant Digits and Scientific Notation

1
Significant Digits and Scientific Notation

• Objectives
• Use scientific notation and significant digits in
  problem-solving.
• Identify the significant digits in calculations.
• Understand the difference between accuracy and
  precision.

2
4 Rules of Significant Digits

1. Any number 1-9 is significant.
2. Any 0 in between 2 significant digits is
   significant. (Ex 803)
3. Any 0 used as a place holder is NOT
   significant. (Ex 8300, 0.0029)
4. Any FINAL 0 AFTER THE DECIMAL POINT IS
   significant.

3
Scientific Notation

• Uses powers of 10 (Ex 103)
• Speed of light is 300 000 000 m/s, or 3.0 x 108
  m/s.
• Practice Write 18 000 L in scientific notation.
• Using scientific notation
• 4.5 x 1012 m/s
• 3.0 x 108 m/s

4
Accuracy vs. Precision

• Accuracy getting the answer you should get, the
  right or correct answer
• Precision getting consistent answers

5
Assignments

• Pp. 23 (1), 24 (1,2), 25 (1-4)
• P.26 (3-7)