Nt1310 Unit 6 Lab Report

In measuring substances in the lab, reporting data, and performing calculations, it is both crucial important to be as precise and accurate as possible and also not to report false data. The rules of significant figures (digits in a measurement that reflect the measurement’s accuracy) allow us to have a methodical means of ensuring that the data and calculations we report reflect the accuracy that the equipment or data provide. To follow the guidelines for the correct number of significant figures, it is important to know the rules for multiplication and division, for addition and subtraction, for rounding, for measuring, and for scientific notation.

When multiplying or dividing quantities, the number of significant figures in an answer should have should contain the total amount of digits of the least precise piece of
For example, when multiplying 150.0 x 8.2453, the calculator will say the answer is 1236.795. However, the least precise piece of data (150.0) has only 4 significant figures, so the answer will reflect that. Therefore, the answer is rounded to 4 significant figures and would be reported as 1236.

When adding or subtracting quantities, the number of significant figures is rounded off to the same decimal place as the least precise piece of data. For example, when subtracting 23.385 cm from 18472.3952 cm, the answer will be rounded to the third decimal place, leaving our answer to be 18449.010 cm. It is important to note that defined quantities, such as the number of people at a table, or minutes in an hour,are not subjected to the rules of significant figures because they would not fall victim to erroneous measurements.