Significant Figures
1. Non zero digits - non-zero numbers are significant
2. Zeros - There are three types:
a) Leading zeros are zeros that precede all
non-zero digits. These zeros are not significant
figures.
b) Captive zeros are zeros between sig.
figs., usually non-zero digits. These zeros
are significant figures.
c) Trailing zeros are zeros at the right end of the
number. They are sig. figs. only if the
number contains a decimal point.
3. Exact numbers are numbers that are derived by counting or
by definition. These numbers have
infinite number of sig. figs.
MULTIPLICATION AND DIVISION
RULES
The number with the fewest
sig. figs. in the calculation will limit your answer to that number of sig.
figs.
The number of sig. figs. in
the calculation is limited to the number with the fewest number of decimal
places to the right of the decimal point.
If neither number has a decimal place, sig. figs. are stopped at the first
break between sig. figs. and non - sig. figs. furthest from the right of the
numbers.