Significant Digits Rules and Practice Problems

Significant Number Rules

• All non-zero digits and zeros between non-zeros are significant
• Example: 300042 = 6 significant digits
• Leading zeros are not significant
• Example: 0.000034 = 2 significant digits
• Trailing zeros are significant if a decimal point is present
• Example: 0.0002500 = 4 significant digits
• Trailing zeros may or may not be significant if no decimal point is present; use the most conservative count
• Example: 190000 = 2 significant digits (could be up to 6)

Rules for Calculating with Significant Digits

• When adding or subtracting, round the result to the least number of decimal places.
• Example: 1.457 + 83.2 = 84.657 rounds to 84.7
• Example: 0.0367 - 0.004322 = 0.032378 rounds to 0.0324
• When multiplying or dividing, round the result to the least number of significant digits.
• Example: 4.36 x 0.00013 = 0.0005668 rounds to 0.00057
• Example: 12.300 / 0.0230 = 534.78261 rounds to 535

Practice Problems (Significant Digits)

• 43.74 km
• 4302.5 g
• 0.0083 s
• 1.200 x 103 kg

Chapter 5 Forces in Equilibrium

• 5.1 The Force Vector
• 5.2 Forces and Equilibrium
• 5.3 Friction

Types of Force

• Friction force
• Spring force
• Buoyant force
• Gravity force
• Drag force
• Applied force
• Electric force
• Magnetic force
• Normal force

Scalars and Vectors

• A scalar quantity has only magnitude (size/amount).
• Example: speed
• A vector quantity has both magnitude and direction.
• Example: weight
• Vectors are useful for describing directions.

Scalar Quantity

• A scalar is a quantity that can be fully described by its magnitude.
• Magnitude means the amount and measurement units are included.
• Example of scalar quantities include time, temperature, and length.

Vector Quantity

• A vector has both magnitude and direction.
• A single number is not descriptive enough for vector quantities.
• Example of vector quantities include displacement, velocity, and acceleration.

Test your understanding of significant digits and the rules involved in calculations. This quiz includes examples and practice problems to help reinforce your knowledge. Learn how to identify and work with significant figures effectively.