Ch 1: Significant Figures and Standard Notation Flashcards
Which figures are significant in a number?
- Numbers 1-9
- Enclosed zeros
- Trailing Zeros (with an existing decimal in the number)
Which figures are non significant in a number?
- Leading Zeros
- Trailing Zeros (no existing decimal in the number)
What are leading zeros?
All zeros before the first number between 1-9
What are enclosed zeros?
All zeros between numbers 1-9
What are trailing zeros?
All zeros after the last number between 1-9
Significant figures ONLY apply to:
Measurement
Significant figures DO NOT apply to:
Exact numbers
Ex.
- Counted numbers
- Constant numbers
- Conversions
- Defined numbers
When adding/subtracting numbers, the significant figures in the answer are based on:
The decimal place of the number with the least number of decimal places
When multiplying/dividing numbers, the significant figures in the answer are based on:
The number with the least number of significant figures used in the calculation
What happens to a number’s decimal place while being converted to scientific notation?
Decimal place is moved until the number becomes one between 1-9
What happens to a number’s decimal place while being converted to standard notation?
Decimal place is moved based on the exponent.
When converting from scientific notation to standard notation,
NEGATIVE exponent means decimal will be moved to the:
Left
When converting from scientific notation to standard notation,
POSITIVE exponent means decimal will be moved to the:
Right
When converting from standard notation to scientific notation,
Moving the decimal to the RIGHT will make the exponent:
Negative
When converting from standard notation to scientific notation,
Moving the decimal to the LEFT will make the exponent:
Positive
