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(ii)
(iii) If a zero comes after a non zero digit in a decimal, it is considered as significant figures also since it indicates the degree of accuracy where the measurement is taken. For example, 0.30 [ 2 significant figures] 200.0 [ 4 significant figures] (iv) If a zeros are before a non-zero digit in a decimal which is less than 1, it is not considered as significant figures! For example, 0.0045 [ 2 significant figures] 0.006005 [ 4 significant figures] (v) For the final case, if there are zeros after a non-zero digit for a whole number, it may or may not be significant figures as it depends on the degree of accuracy required For example, 600 [ 1 significant figure if the degree of accuracy needed is to nearest hundred] 600 [ 2 significant figures if the degree of accuracy needed is to nearest ten ] 600 [ 3 significant figures if the degree of accuracy is to nearest whole number]
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Performing operations of addition, subtraction , multiplication and division for numbers and state the answer in the given specific significant figures
Example 1 Solve 56.4 6.78 + 23.45 and correct the answer to 2 significant figures. Tips : Calculate this by using a calculator and then round off the answer to 2 significant figures Answer : 73.07 ( from calculator) = 73 (correct to 2 significant figures) Example 2 Calculate the value of 34.3 + 6.78 0.024 and give your answer correct to 3 significant figures. Tips : Remember ! Do for the division part first and then just proceed with the addition part! And lastly correct the answer to 3 significant figures Answer : 34.3 + (6.78 0.024) = 34.3 + 282.5 = 316.8 = 317 ( correct to 3 significant figures) Example 3 Evaluate the value of 3.08 100 x 4.5. Correct your answer to 2 significant figures Tips : Evaluate from left to right and then round off the answer to 2 significant figures Answer : 3.08 100 x 4.5 = 0.0308 x 4.5 = 0.1386 (From calculator) = 0.14 (correct to 2 significant figures)
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From here, you moved 6 places to obtain 2.34. Hence, Answer : 2.34 x 106 (You can check this by typing 2.34 x 106 into your calculator and you will get 2340000 , same as for the question )
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Example 2 Express 0.000035 in standard form. Tips : For this case, this should have a negative index since the number is very small (which is divided by 10n),n is a positive integer. Move the decimal point to the back to get 3.5(count also the number of places you moved the decimal point)
How many places the decimal point moved to the back? Its 5! So, if the decimal point is moved to the back, this should be a negative index, which is 10-5 Answer : 3.5 x 10-5 ( You can check the answer by typing 0.000035 in your calculator and you will get 3.5 x 10-5 which is the same as your final answer for this question!)
Understand so far by having this two examples? Well, now we are going to convert numbers in standard form to a single number!
Answer : 4.37 x 106 = = 437000 (You can check this by pressing 4.37 x 106 into your calculator and then press = . You will get the answer as 4370000! Example 4 Convert 6.78 x 10-4 to a single number. Tips : Since the index n, which is -4, is a negative number, so move the decimal point in 6.78 4 places to the left. Answer : 6.78 x 10-4 = = 0.000678 (you can type 6.78 x 10-4 into your calculator and press shift ENG,do this TWICE, you will get 0.000678 x 100 as your answer)
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Example 5 Evaluate the value of 3400 0.0012 , correct it to 2 significant figures and express it in standard form. Tips : Do it one by one, change the answer according to the significant figures needed and then express it in standard form. Answer : By pressing calculator, you will get 3400 0.0012 = 2833333.333. Now, correct 2833333.333 to 2 significant figures using the knowledge you have learnt in subtopic 1.1,you will get the answer as 2800000. 2800000 is a multiple of 10 6 for 2.8 and hence the final answer is 2.8 x 106 ( Well, you can check your answer by calculator again by pressing 2.8 x 106 and you will eventually get 2800000 as your answer! Thats easy! But remember to express your final answer as 2.8 x 106 (as required by question)
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