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Significant Figures

Significant Figures. The valid measurements or digits are called SIGNIFICANT!. Uncertainties of Measurements. Precision or Accuracy is the degree of “exactness” to which the measurement quantity can be reproduced.

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Significant Figures

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  1. Significant Figures The valid measurements or digits are called SIGNIFICANT!

  2. Uncertainties of Measurements • Precision or Accuracy is the degree of “exactness” to which the measurement quantity can be reproduced. • Parallax is the apparent shift in the position of the object when it is viewed from different angles

  3. Significant Digits • Nonzero digits are always significant • All final zeros after the decimal point are significant • Zeros between two other significant digits are always significant • Zeros used solely for spacing the decimal point are not significant

  4. Accuracy • Is the extent to which a measured value agrees with the standard value of the quantity. • The instrument determines the amount of precision of the data. • CALCULATORS DO NOT INCREASE THE ACCURACY!

  5. Examples of Significant Digits • Add 24.686 m +2.343 m + 3.21 m = ? • 30.239 m …. 30.24 m (significant digits) • Multiply 3.22 cm by 2.1 cm • 6.762 cm2 ……6.8 cm2 (significant digits) • Divide .005673 by 2.1 • 0.0027014285714285714285714285714286 • .0027 (significant digits)

  6. Summary • All measurements are subject to uncertainty • The number of significant digits is limited by the precision of the instrument • The result of any mathematical or electronic operation can never be more precise than the least precise instrument display.

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