Significant figures

Significant figures and
their importance
The significant figures are those digits in a measured number (or in the
result of a calculation with measured numbers) that include all certain
digits plus the first uncertain digit.
No. of observations 1 2 3 Average

Length (cm) 9.12 9.11 9.13 9.12
The first two digits (9.1) are certain; the next digit (2) is estimated, so it
has some uncertainty.
Mention whether it is right or wrong to write the average length = 9.1 or
9.120 cm. 2
From figure-1, you can easily tell that the liquid level is
greater than 30.2 mL and less than 30.3 mL.
No of obs 1 2 3 Average (mL)
Volume (mL) 30.23 30.24 30.25 30.24
Likewise, meter scale reading the first three digits (30.2)

are certain; the next digit (4) is estimated, so it has
some uncertainty. Total sig. figs. = 4.
Is it correct or wrong to write burette reading = 30.240 ?
How would write pipette reading?
Pipette types: Non-graduated
5 mL = -----------
Figure-1: A burette 10 mL = -----------
section showing the 25 mL = -----------
liquid level and 50 mL = -----------
meniscus.
3
Figure-2: (a) The level in a 50-
mL graduated cylinder can
usually be estimated to
within 0.2 mL. The level here
is 38.6 mL (three significant
figures).
(b) The level in a 50-mL
burette can be read to within
0.02 mL. The level here is
38.57 mL (four significant
figures).
The number of significant figures in a measurement depends on the

measuring device.
The greater the number of significant figures in a measurement, the
greater is the certainty.
4
B
Figure-2: Two thermometers measuring the same temperature are shown with
expanded views. The thermometer on the left (A) is graduated in 0.1°C and reads
32.33°C; the one on the right (B) is graduated in 1°C and reads 32.3°C.
Therefore, a reading with more significant figures (more certainty) can be made
with the thermometer on the left.
5
Number of Significant Figures:
The term number of significant figures refers to the number of digits
reported for the value of a measured or calculated quantity, indicating the
precision of the value.
There are four significant figures in 2.036 kg and two in 2.0 kg.
The rules for significant figures :
1. All nonzero digits are significant (meaning they count as significant

figures).
Number : 1234 1.234 12345 4.889 1.2345 4.899
Significant Figs. : 4
2. Zeroes between nonzero digits are significant

Number : 1.02 30.05 34.0082 870.00 7.005 2.9623
Significant Figs. : 3
6
3. Zeroes to the left of the first nonzero digits are not significant.
Number : 0.012 0.000456 0.0052 0.02040 0.0000000000000000000052
Sig. Figs. : 2
4. Trailing zeros (those at the end) are significant only if the number
contains a decimal point.
Number : 5.056 120000. 2.6900 43.00556 28000. 205.07
Sig. Figs. : 4 6
5. When a number ends in zeroes that are not to the right of a decimal
point, the zeroes are not necessarily significant.
120000 has two sig figs – unless you’re given additional information in the
problem
780000, 2500, 2560000000, 34000000000000, 780, 37540000
Sig. Figs.: (i) 1200000. and 1200000 (ii) 2500 and 2500. (iii) 780. and 780
7
To avoid ambiguity, we use scientific notation.
Scientific notation is a system for expressing very large or very small
numbers in a compact manner. It uses the idea that such numbers can be
rewritten as a simple number multiplied by 10 raised to a certain
exponent, or power.
120000 = 1.2 × 105 has 2 sig figs and 1.20 × 105 has 3 sig figs
Scientific notation always has only ONE nonzero digit to the left of the
decimal, like this:
5630 = 5.63 x 103 (not 56.3 or 563 × 103 )
0.0000007160 cm3 or 7.160 × 10−7 cm3; 0.00004715 m or 4.715 × 1O-5 m
248,000,000 , 0.00000000562, 0.00000021, 558000000
Very large and very small numbers are more conveniently written in
scientific notation.
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6. An exact number is a number that arises when you count items or
sometimes when you define a unit. Exact numbers have an infinite number
of significant figures.
Example: Our bodies have 10 fingers, 10 toes, and two kidneys. A meter is
composed of 100 centimeters.
Similarly, 26 letters in English alphabet; 100 students in a class room; 9
coins in a bottle; 1 h = 60 min; 1 min = 60 s; 1 f = 12 inches; 1 inch = 2.54
centimeters; 1 Kg = 1000 g; 1 g = 1000 mg; 1 mg = 1000 μg; 1000 mL = 1 L.
These numbers are exact because there is no uncertainty associated with
them.
A container of 71 macadamia nuts

weighs 125 g. The number of nuts (71) is
exact, while the mass of the nuts (125 g)
is inexact.
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Significant Figures in Calculations
1. Addition and subtraction:
The result of addition or subtraction must be expressed with the same
number of digits beyond the decimal point as the quantity carrying the
smallest number of such digits.
Suppose you measure 83.5 mL of water in a graduated cylinder and add
23.21 mL of protein solution from a burette.
The total volume = (83.5 + 23.21) mL = 106.71 mL = 106.7 mL
Again, Consider the following sum of masses.
15.02 g
9986.0 g
3.518 g
10,004.538 g = 10,004.5 g
Problem: While on a diet, a woman lost 3.52 lb the first week, 2.2 lb the
second week, and 0.59 lb the third week. How much weight did she lose in
all? 10
Problem: Carry out each calculation and give the answer using the
proper number of significant figures.
(a) 27.8 cm + 0.246 cm
(b) 54.6 mg – 25 mg
(c) 102.66 mL + 0.857 mL + 24.0 mL
(d) 2.35 s – 0.266 s
(e) 12.993 + 32.00 – 22.2256
(f) 12.1 + 34.34 – 63.3465
How many significant figures are present in the following numbers?
48,923; 3.967; 900.06; 0.0004; 8.1000; 501.040; 1.00 × 102; 3 × 106 ;
8.3 × 10 −7;
Write each number in scientific notation.
93,200; 0.000 725; 6,780,000; 0.000 030, 0.00000000203, 102000000000
Write the following number in standard notation.
1.2 × 105; 1.0 × 10−5; 3.23 × 10−6 ; 5.92 × 103
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Problem: Express the result of the following calculation with the correct
number of significant figures.
2. Multiplication and division:

The number of significant figures in the final calculated value will be the
same as that of the quantity with the fewest number of significant figures
used in the calculation.
Suppose you want to find the volume of a sheet of a new graphite
composite. The length (9.2 cm) and width (6.8 cm) are obtained with a
meter stick and the thickness (0.3744 cm) with a set of fine calipers.
Volume (cm3) = 9.2 cm × 6.8 cm × 0.3744 cm = 23 cm3 (calculator shows
23.4225 cm3)
12
In the example below, the quantity with the fewest number of sig figs
is 27.2 (three sig figs). Your final answer is therefore limited to three
sig figs.
(27.2 x 15.63) × 1.846 = 230.3011918 = 230.
=?
Problem: Carry out each calculation and give the answer using the proper
number of significant figures.
(a) 3.8 × 460; (b) 120.085/106; (c) 567.50 × 53; (d) 0.206/25,993; (e)
1,300/41.2 and (f) 120.5 × 26
3. Logarithms and Antilogarithms:
➢ In a logarithm of a number, keep as many digits to the right of the
decimal point as there are significant figures in the original number.
➢ In an antilogarithm of a number, keep as many digits as there are digits
to the right of the decimal point in the original number
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Round the following answers so that only significant digits are retained:
(a) log 4.000 × 10–5 = 24.3979400, and (b) antilog 12.5 = 3.162277 × 1012
Solution
(a) Following rule 1, we retain 4 digits to the right of the decimal point
log 4.000 × 10–5 = 24.3979
(b) Following rule 2, we may retain only 1 digit antilog 12.5 = 3 × 1012
Rounding Data
If the digit following the last significant figure is greater than 5, the
number is rounded up to the next higher digit. If it is less than 5, the
number is rounded to the present value of the last significant figure:
9.47 = 9.5 and 9.43 = 9.4
In rounding a number ending in 5, always round so that the result ends with
an even number.
Examples: 0.635 = 0.64; 0.625 = 0.62; 8.65 = 8.6; 8.75 = 8.8 and 8.55 = 8.6
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Significant figures and

No. of observations 1 2 3 Average

Likewise, meter scale reading the first three digits (30.2)

The number of significant figures in a measurement depends on the

1. All nonzero digits are significant (meaning they count as significant

2. Zeroes between nonzero digits are significant

A container of 71 macadamia nuts

2. Multiplication and division:

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