WHAT SHOULD AN EAGLE BE ABLE TO DO?

1. Accurately count the total number of significant

digits
2. Convert Scientific Notation to Numbers
3. Convert Numbers to Scientific Notation
4. Use Scientific Notation Mathematical rules for:
Adding & Subtracting
Dividing and Multiplying
SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS RULES MADE SIMPLE
1. Numbers 1 9 are always significant.
2. Zero Rules:
0.000222 Leading zeros
2000.00 Trailing zeros with decimal
2000 Trailing zeros without decimal
200002 Captive zeros
HOW TO CONVERT NUMBERS TO SCIENTIFIC NOTATION
1. If a number is greater than one, its exponent should be positive.
Locate the original decimal place and move the decimal to the
left until you get the right side of the 1
st
sig fig.
For example: 203 ---> 2.03 x 10
2

2. If a number is less than one, Its exponent should be negative.

Locate the original decimal place and move the decimal to the
right until you get the right side of the 1
st
sig fig.


For example: 0.003 ---> 3 x 10
-3
HOW TO CONVERT SCIENTIFIC NOTATION TO NUMBERS
1. If the exponent is positive, it means that the original number
was greater than one. Move the decimal to the right
For example: 23 x 10
1
230

2. If the exponent is negative, it means that the original number
was less than one. Move the decimal to the left
For example: 23 x 10
-4
.0023
MATHEMATICAL RULES FOR SCIENTIFIC NOTATION
A D D I T I O N A N D S U B T R A C T I O N
( D E C I M A L P L A C E S )
1. Count the # of decimal
places to determine the
number of significant
figures.
2. The answer cannot
contain more places
after the decimal point
than the smallest
number of decimal
places in the numbers
being added or
subtracted.
F O R E X A M P L E
23.112233 (6 places after decimal)
1.3324 ( 4 places after decimal)
+ 0.25_ ( 2 places after decimal)
Since 0.25 has the least # of decimal
places, your answer should have 2 places
after the decimal point
On calculator you get 24.694633
Your final answer should be 24.69
MATHEMATICAL RULES FOR SCIENTIFIC NOTATION
M U L T I P L I C A T I O N A N D
D I V I S I O N ( S I G F I G S )
1) Count the # of
significant figures.
2) The answer cannot
contain more
significant figures
than the number
being multiplied or
divided with the least
number of significant
figures.
F O R E X A M P L E
23.123123 (8 sig figs)
X 1.3344 (5 sig figs)
Since 1.3344 has the least # of sig
figs then your answer should have
5 sig figs
On your calculator you get:
30.855495
Your final answer should be:
30. 855

ITS NOW TIME TO PRACTICE!
PowerPoint Courtesy of Ms. Christal Owens 2011 WHS Chemistry Team