•In any measurement, the accurately knows digits and the
first doubtful digits are called significant figures?
•A significant figure is the one who is known to be reasonably
reliable
06-May-20 Physical Quantities 2
• <7.4
• >7.5
• 7.42
• 7.43
• 7.44
06-May-20 Physical Quantities 3
All the non-zero digits are significant
06-May-20 Physical Quantities 4
All the zeros between the two non-zero digits are
significant , no matter where the decimal point is
06-May-20 Physical Quantities 5
Zeros to the left of the significant figures are not
significant
06-May-20 Physical Quantities 6
• Zeros to the right of the significant figures( trailing zeros ) are may or
may not be Significant.
• It depends upon the Measuring instrument ( Least Count ) of
measuring instrument
• E.g. 800 kg
• If the least count is 1 kg 800 kg all are confirmed
• If the least count is 10 kg 800 kg first two are confirmed
• If the least count is 100 kg 800 kg only first is confirmed
06-May-20 Physical Quantities 7
06-May-20 Physical Quantities 8
• The powers of 10 are always non- significant.
• 23500 can be written as
• There are only three significant figures .
06-May-20 Physical Quantities 9
06-May-20 Physical Quantities 10

Rules for significant figures

  • 2.
    •In any measurement,the accurately knows digits and the first doubtful digits are called significant figures? •A significant figure is the one who is known to be reasonably reliable 06-May-20 Physical Quantities 2
  • 3.
    • <7.4 • >7.5 •7.42 • 7.43 • 7.44 06-May-20 Physical Quantities 3
  • 4.
    All the non-zerodigits are significant 06-May-20 Physical Quantities 4
  • 5.
    All the zerosbetween the two non-zero digits are significant , no matter where the decimal point is 06-May-20 Physical Quantities 5
  • 6.
    Zeros to theleft of the significant figures are not significant 06-May-20 Physical Quantities 6
  • 7.
    • Zeros tothe right of the significant figures( trailing zeros ) are may or may not be Significant. • It depends upon the Measuring instrument ( Least Count ) of measuring instrument • E.g. 800 kg • If the least count is 1 kg 800 kg all are confirmed • If the least count is 10 kg 800 kg first two are confirmed • If the least count is 100 kg 800 kg only first is confirmed 06-May-20 Physical Quantities 7
  • 8.
  • 9.
    • The powersof 10 are always non- significant. • 23500 can be written as • There are only three significant figures . 06-May-20 Physical Quantities 9
  • 10.