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SIGNIFICANT DIGITSSIGNIFICANT DIGITS
We’ll call them “S.D.’s” for shortWe’ll call them “S.D.’s” for short
1 1 3
Why Use Them??Why Use Them??
To show how precise our instruments areTo show how precise our instruments are
The following types of digits are considered significant:The following types of digits are considered significant:
any non-zero number…for example, 562any non-zero number…for example, 562this number has 3 S.D.’sthis number has 3 S.D.’s
all zeros between 2 other S.D.’s…for all zeros between 2 other S.D.’s…for example, 5006example, 5006
this number has 4 S.D.’sthis number has 4 S.D.’s If there is a decimal, any zero that follows If there is a decimal, any zero that follows
the last nonzero number…for example the last nonzero number…for example 560.0560.0
this number has 4 S.D.’sthis number has 4 S.D.’s
The following types of digits
are not considered significant
The following types of digits
are not considered significant
If there is no decimal point, any zero If there is no decimal point, any zero following the last nonzero digit is not following the last nonzero digit is not significant…for example, 9050significant…for example, 9050
this number has 3 S.D.’sthis number has 3 S.D.’s all zeros appearing in front of the first all zeros appearing in front of the first
nonzero digit…for example, .0091nonzero digit…for example, .0091
this number has 2 S.D.’sthis number has 2 S.D.’s
WHAT NOW???WHAT NOW???
That was all fine and That was all fine and good, but what do we good, but what do we do with them!!do with them!!
Now we can do mathematical operations the RIGHT WAY!!Now we can do mathematical operations the RIGHT WAY!!
ADDITION AND SUBTRACTIONADDITION AND SUBTRACTION
Consider the following problem Consider the following problem
5.0 + 15.5 + 20.25 = ???5.0 + 15.5 + 20.25 = ??? After you read the problem, do the addition After you read the problem, do the addition
(or subtraction) like you normally would.(or subtraction) like you normally would. Write down the entire answer from your Write down the entire answer from your
calculatorcalculator
you should have gotten 40.75you should have gotten 40.75
ADDITION AND SUBTRACTIONADDITION AND SUBTRACTION
WE ARE NOT DONE!!!!WE ARE NOT DONE!!!! Decide which was the Decide which was the LEAST LEAST
PRECISEPRECISE number in the problem number in the problem
That would be the 5.0 OR theThat would be the 5.0 OR the
15.5…..both go to the tenths place15.5…..both go to the tenths place For +/-, the answer goes to the same place!!For +/-, the answer goes to the same place!! 40.75 must go to the tenths……it becomes 40.75 must go to the tenths……it becomes 40.840.8
Whew….DONE!!!Whew….DONE!!!
Not Exactly…..Not Exactly…..
MULTIPLICATION AND DIVISIONMULTIPLICATION AND DIVISION
Consider the following problem Consider the following problem
562 x .0095 = ???562 x .0095 = ??? After you read the problem, do the After you read the problem, do the
multiplication (or division) like you normally multiplication (or division) like you normally would.would.
Write down the entire answer from your Write down the entire answer from your calculatorcalculator
you should have gotten 5.339you should have gotten 5.339
MULTIPLICATION AND DIVISIONMULTIPLICATION AND DIVISION
WE ARE NOT DONE!!!!WE ARE NOT DONE!!!! Decide which number in the problem had the Decide which number in the problem had the
LEAST NUMBERLEAST NUMBER OF S.D.’s OF S.D.’s
That would be the .0095 -- it only has 2 That would be the .0095 -- it only has 2 For * or /, the answer has the same number of For * or /, the answer has the same number of
S.D.’s as the number in the problem with the S.D.’s as the number in the problem with the fewest S.D.’s!!fewest S.D.’s!!
5.339 can only have 2 S.D.’s…it becomes5.339 can only have 2 S.D.’s…it becomes 5.35.3
ALL DONE!!!ALL DONE!!!
This has been….This has been….
A Baron & Baron ProductionA Baron & Baron Production
Special thanks to Mrs. Robin Special thanks to Mrs. Robin McNemarMcNemar
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