PH-UY 1013 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Significant Figures, Scientific Notation, International System Of Units
Document Summary
Thank goodness most kids haven"t dropped dead converting many unit. Depending on instrument, some digits are certain, others uncertain but can be estimated. All certain digits and first estimated digit are significant. Zeros to the right of non-zero digits before decimal points are significant. Zeros to the right of non-zero digits after decimal points are significant. Zeros to the left of non-zero digits after decimal points are not significant. Zeros to the right of non-zero digits without decimal points are, by consensus, not significant, and must be written with bars over them or in scientific notation to be considered significant. For addition and subtraction, each decimal place is significant only if it was significant in every term. For multiplication and division, your answer should have as many significant figures as your term with the least significant figures. Round answers to the closest value with correct sig figs.
