Question

1. here are five rules for determining which digits in a measurement are significant. match each rule to a set of examples in the table below. the significant digits in each example are underlined.

rule 1: all non - zero numbers are significant.

rule 2: sandwiched zeros (those that occur between two significant digits) are significant.

rule 3: zeros that are only placeholders for a decimal are not significant.

rule 4: zeros at the end of a number that also contains a decimal are significant.

rule 5: exact numbers (no doubt or uncertainty in the value) may be thought of as having an infinite number of significant digits. these include numbers that were counted or are defined values (i.e., conversion factors).

1. compare these rules with the rules discussed in class. what is similar? what is different?

set a	set b	set c
set d	set e

|589 s, 45 kg, 5.68 g, 0.452 l|1 dozen = 12
1 m = 100 cm
29 students on a bus|

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze Set A

In 105 cm, 0.402 g, 4003.7 mL, 10.0 s, the zeros are either sandwiched (105, 0.402, 4003.7) or at the end of a number with a decimal (10.0), so it matches Rule 2.

Step2: Analyze Set B

In 6300 mL, 400 m, 0.004 g, 0.097 kg, the zeros in 6300 and 400 are place - holders for decimal and in 0.004 and 0.097 the leading zeros are place - holders, so it matches Rule 3.

Step3: Analyze Set C

In 30.40 m, 1.620 s, 0.0400 L, the zeros at the end of the numbers with decimals are significant, so it matches Rule 4.

Step4: Analyze Set D

In 589 s, 45 kg, 5.68 g, 0.452 L, all are non - zero numbers, so it matches Rule 1.

Step5: Analyze Set E

In 1 dozen = 12, 1 m = 100 cm, 29 students on a bus, these are exact numbers, so it matches Rule 5.

Answer:

Set A: Rule 2
Set B: Rule 3
Set C: Rule 4
Set D: Rule 1
Set E: Rule 5