Notes:  Ch 1 Sect 4 Math and Science.  p30-33

 

Estimation-An approximation of a number based on known information.

 

Scientists sometimes rely on estimations when they can’t obtain exact numbers.

 

Accuracy-How close a measurement is to the actual value.

 

Reproducibility or Precision-How close a group of measurements are to each other

 

How can you influence accuracy and reproducibility on a dartboard?

 

Significant figures-significant figures represent precision in measurements and calculations.  A triple beam balance has a maximum of 4 significant figures (sig. figs.)

 

Some examples:

     5.4 has 2 sig. figs.

               10000 has 1 sig. fig

              10000. has 5 sig. figs.

              .001 has 1 sig. fig.

              .101 has 1 sig. fig.

              543.010 has 6 sig. figs.

 

0 is often a place holder.  If you can write the number without the 0 it is significant.  If not, it is a placeholder.  Be careful.  Watch decimal points.  We will calculate with significant figures later.