Chem – Significant Figures Part 1

How do we treat ZEROs to the LEFT of NON-ZERO numbers in significant figures?

Since we read from right to left in many languages (including English) usually the first set of ZEROs you come upon are ZEROs to the left of NON-ZERO numbers. ZEROS to the LEFT of NON-ZERO numbers are NEVER significant. This means we DO NOT count them.

Examples: Determine the number of significant figures. VIDEO demonstration of the significant figures part 1 from the examples below.

Measured Number Number of Significant Figures
0045 2
0.0031 2
000284 3
0.0000079623 5

 

PRACTICE PROBLEMS: Determine the number of significant figures.

Measured Number Number of Significant Figures
0.7521 4
00039 2
0582 3
0.006488 4
0.0245976 6

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