1.

Write the rules for determining significant figures.

Answer»

Rules for counting significant figures:

RuleExample
(i)All non-zero digits are significant1342 has four significant figures
(ii)All zeros to the right of a non- zero digit but to the left of a decimal point are significant.2008 has four significant figures
(iii)All zeros to the right of a non-zero digit but to the left of a decimal point are significant.30700 has five significant figures
(iv)(a) The number without a decimal point the terminal or trailing zero(s) are not significant.
(b)  All zeros are significant if they come from a measurement		(a) 30700  has three significant figures
(b) 30700 m has five significant figures
(v)If the number is less than 1, the zero (s) on the right of the decimal point but to left of the first non zero digit are not significant.0.00345 has three significant figures
(vi)All zeros to the right of a decimal point and to the right of non-zero digit are significant.40.00 has four significant figures and 0.030400 has five significant figures
(vii)The number of significant figures does not depend on the system of units used1.53 cm,0.0153 m, 0.0000153 km, all has three significant figures

 Note: 1 Multiplying or dividing factors, which are neither rounded numbers nor numbers representing measured values, are exact and they have infinite numbers of significant figures as per the situation.

For example, circumference of circle S = 2πr, Here the factor 2 is exact number. It can be written as 2.0, 2.00 or 2.000 as required. 

Note: 2 The power of 10 is irrelevant to the determination of significant figures.

For example x = 5.70 m = 5.70 × 102 cm = 5.70 × 103 mm = 5.70 × 10-3 km.

In each case the number of significant figures is three.


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