Notes from 8/9/17 (Significant Figures)

Question 1

Why are significant figures necessary?

Answer 1

Precision is limited by tools.

Question 2

Name the 5 rules for significant figures:

Answer 2

1. Nonzero numbers are always significant.
2. All final zeros to the right of the decimal are significant.
3. Any zeros between significant figures are significant.
4. Placeholder zeros are not significant. (To remove them, write it in scientific notation.)
5. Counting numbers and defined constants have an infinite number of significant figures.

Question 3

How many significant figures does this number contain?

405,000

Answer 3

3