Chapter 1: Significant Figure Rules

Question 1

Addition and Subtraction

Answer 1

The answer can contain no more decimal places than the least accurate measurement.

Example:
150.0 + 0.507 = 150.5

Question 2

Multiplication and Division

Answer 2

The answer can contain no more significant figures than the least accurate measurement.

Example:
36.223 × 5.789 = 209.7
Decimal place does not matter in this case.

Even if you then add 22.4785, the answer is 232.2, because the multiplication/division process nulls the rules of addition/subtraction.

Question 3

How many Sig Figs are present?

290.05

Answer 3

5 Sig Figs because…

ALL zeroes between non-zero numbers are ALWAYS significant.

Question 4

How many Sig Figs are present?

501.040

Answer 4

6 Sig Figs because…

ALL zeroes which are SIMULTANEOUSLY to the right of the decimal point AND at the end of the number are ALWAYS significant.

Question 5

How many Sig Figs are present?

0.0004

Answer 5

1, because…

ALL zeroes which are to the left of a written decimal point and are in a number >= 10 are ALWAYS significant.

Question 6

How many Sig Figs are present?

10.0

Answer 6

3, because…

10.0 = 1.00 x 10^(2)