Scientific Notation & Significant Digits

Scientific Notation

Scientific Notation is used to show really big or really small numbers easily by an equation.

Example: 2000 = 2.0 x 10^3

4500000 = 4.5 x 10^7

       0.000010 = 1.0 x 10^-5

Significant Digits

Significant Digits are used to be more precise and accurate with calculations.

-Precision and accuracy are very important

-Calculators are not smart enough to give a precise and accurate number 

-Scientist have made rules to round off extra digits: These are a must!

-Non-zero digits are always significant

-If the zero is in the area to the right of the decimal then it is generally not significant

-0.0056

-Any digits to the left of a decimal point are significant

-5.00, 26.68, 18.1400

-Zeros after another number are significant

-2.00, 0.0002100, 5.870

Quick Note:

When Subtracting or Adding, round to the least precise number.

9.65471-6.21 = 3.44471

   = 3.44

   6.4798+3.254 = 9.7338

  = 9.734