Unit #1Unit #2Unit #3Unit #4Unit #5Unit #6Unit #7Unit #8Unit #9Unit #10
spacerUNIT # 1  
spacerspacerIntroduction
spacerspacerObjectives
spacerspacerReading

spacer1.1 Metric
spacerSystem
spacerSI System
spacerBritish System
spacer1.2 Temperature
spacerMeasure-
spacerments
spacer1.3 Scientific
spacerNotation
spacer1.4 Dimensional
spacerAnalysis
spacer1.5 Precision,
spacerAccuracy,
spacerUncertainty
spacerLimitation of the Measuring Instrument
spacerAnalysis of the Limitation of a Ruler
spacerAnalysis of the Limitation of another Ruler
spacer1.6 Significant
spacerFigures
spacerThe Magnitude and Reliability of the Measurement
spacerFive Rules for Determining the number of Significant Figures in a Measurement
spacer1.7 Calculations
spacerInvolving
spacerSignificant
spacerFigures
spacerRules for Rounding off Numbers
spacerRules for Addition and Subtraction
spacerRules for Multiplication and Division
spacer1.8 Density
spacerDensity and Temperature
spacer1.9 Specific
spacerGravity
spacerspacerProblems
spacer1 | 2 | 3
   

MEASUREMENT

1.6 - Significant Figures

Except for numbers which are exact numbers or counting numbers, it is often impossible to determine an exact value of a quantity that is under investigation. In section 1.5, we saw that in all experimental measurements, there is a degree of uncertainty.

When a scientist takes a measurement there are three kinds of information that are recorded:

  1. The magnitude of the measurement.
  2. The reliability of the number.
  3. The unit of the measurement.

Section 2.5
 Significant Digits ..p21

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British Columbia Institute of Technology
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Burnaby, B.C. Canada V5G 3H2