Scientific Notation and Significant Figures

Front

What is scientific notation?

Back

A way of expressing numbers that are too large or too small to be conveniently written in decimal form, using powers of ten.

Front

How do you round a number to significant figures?

Back

Identify the number of significant figures required, then round the number accordingly, ensuring that all digits counted as significant are retained.

Front

What are significant figures?

Back

Digits in a number that contribute to its precision, including all non-zero digits, zeros between significant digits, and trailing zeros in the decimal portion.

Front

How many significant figures are in the number 0.002040?

Back

4 significant figures.

Front

What does it mean for a measurement to be precise?

Back

It means that repeated measurements yield the same or very similar results.

Front

What does it mean for a measurement to be accurate?

Back

It means that the measurement is close to the true or accepted value.

Front

If a balance gives the same reading of 7.32 g for a standard mass of 2.00 g, what does this imply?

Back

The balance is precise.

Front

How do you determine the number of significant figures in a measurement?

Back

Count all non-zero digits, any zeros between significant digits, and trailing zeros in the decimal portion.

Front

What is the result of 1145.678 + 4.56 + 623.9789 + 78.1 using significant figures?

Back

1852.3.

Front

What is the difference between accuracy and precision?

Back

Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true value, while precision refers to how consistent repeated measurements are.