2-1: Significant Figure

Question 1

Significant Figure

Answer 1

A measurement consisting of all the digits known certainty plus one final digit, which is somewhat uncertain or is estimated.

Question 2

What is the first rule for zeroes?

Answer 2

Zeros appearing between nonzero digits are significant.
Ex: 40.7 - 3 significant figures

Question 3

What is the second rule for zeroes?

Answer 3

Zeros appearing in front of all nonzero digits are not significant.
Ex: 0.0009 kg - 1 significant figure

Question 4

What is the third rule for zeros?

Answer 4

Zeros at the end of a number and to the right of a decimal are significant.
Ex: 85.00 g - 4 significant figures

Question 5

What is the fourth rule for zeros?

Answer 5

Zeros at the end of a number but to the left of a decimal point may or may not be significant. A decimal point placed after zeros indicates that they are significant.
Ex: 2000. m - 4 significant figures
Ex: 2000 m - depends on how many zeros are placeholders

Question 6

Certain digits in a significant figures = ?

Answer 6

Number of hash marks present on a ruler

Question 7

What do you do if there are no certain digits?

Answer 7

Estimated digit (NOT plural)