Measurement and
Handling of Numbers
REGIE L. MAGALLANES, LPT, M.ED
Chem 111 - Instructor
Introduction
to
Measurements
The importance of Measurement
1. In Science, experiments are performed.
2. Numerical values or data are obtained from these
experiment.
The importance of Measurement
What’s wrong with this measurement?
52.8
The importance of Measurement
What’s wrong with this measurement?
52.8
Note: Always include a numerical value and a unit!
2 Types of Numbers
1. Exact Numbers
2. Inexact Numbers
Exact Numbers
Exact numbers are defined quantities or “counting”
number.
Exact Numbers
Exact numbers are defined quantities or “counting”
number.
1 Dozen = 12 Pieces
Exact Numbers
Exact numbers are defined quantities or “counting”
number.
1 Week = 7 Days
Exact Numbers
Exact numbers are defined quantities or “counting”
number.
1 Peso = 100 Cents
Exact Numbers
Exact numbers are defined quantities or “counting”
number.
1 Kilometer = 1,000 Meters
Exact Numbers
Exact numbers are defined quantities or “counting” number.
1 Dozen = 12 Pieces
1 Week = 7 Days
1 Peso = 100 Cents
1 Kilometer = 1,000 Meters
1 Hour = 60 Minutes
1 Minutes = 60 Seconds
Exact Numbers
Numbers that you obtain through counting, so you
physically count.
Inexact Numbers
Measurement are always inexact (some approximation
took place).
Inexact Numbers
Measurement are always inexact (some approximation
took place).
The temperature is 82.4 °F
A man weighs 60 Kg.
A race is 100.0 m long
Accuracy vs. Precession
Accuracy – How close a measurement is to the accepted
value.
Precession – How close a series of measurements are to each
other.
Accurate = Correct
Precise = Consistent
Accuracy vs. Precession
Choose an answer for each of the following:
1. Accurate/precise
2. Accurate/imprecise
3. Inaccurate/precise
4. Inaccurate/imprecise
Accuracy vs. Precession
Choose an answer for each of the following:
1. Accurate/precise
2. Accurate/imprecise
3. Inaccurate/precise
4. Inaccurate/imprecise
(Assume that the correct answer is 55.4 kg)
Uncertainty in Measurement
1. Every measurement has error associated with it.
2. The more precise the measurement the less error.
3. Error in a measurement is indicated by the
number of significant figures (or significant digits)
in the number.
Significant Figures
Recording significant figures.
-Sig figs in a measurement include the known digits plus one final
estimated digit.
Indicate precession of a measurement.
- Remember: Sig figs only apply to measurements, not exact numbers.
Length Measurements
Let’s measure the length of metal solid.
Length Measurements
Let’s measure the length of metal solid.
Ruler A has 1 cm divisions, so we can estimate the length to ± 0.1 cm.
The length is 4.2 ± 0.1 cm.
Length Measurements
Let’s measure the length of metal solid on ruler B.
Length Measurements
Let’s measure the length of metal solid on ruler B.
Significant Digits
and
Measurements
Why Significant Digits?
•Consider the following measurements:
8 cm 8.0 cm 8.00 cm
Why Significant Digits?
•Consider the following measurements:
8 cm 8.0 cm 8.00 cm
More digits = More precise measurement.
Significant Figures
Significant digits in a measurement include the known
digits plus one final estimated digit.
Significant Figures
Significant digits in a measurement include the known
digits plus one final estimated digit.
Significant Figures
Significant digits in a measurement include the known
digits plus one final estimated digit.
Counting Significant Digits
1. All non-zero numbers are significant.
-843
Counting Significant Digits
1. All non-zero numbers are significant.
2. Zeroes between non-zero numbers are significant.
- 307
Counting Significant Digits
1. All non-zero numbers are significant.
2. Zeroes between non-zero numbers are significant.
3. Leading zeros before a number is not significant.
- 0.0025
Counting Significant Digits
1. All non-zero numbers are significant.
2. Zeroes between non-zero numbers are significant.
3. Leading zeros before a number is not significant.
4. Trailing zeros after a number are not significant unless
there’s a decimal point.
- 250 - 250. - 250.0
Counting Significant Digits Examples
1. 23.5
2. 23.50
3. 402
4. 5,200
5. 0.030
6. 0.0070080
Significant Digits
and
Rounding
Rules for Rounding Numbers
1. If the first nonsignificant digit is less than 5, drop
all nonsignificant digits.
Rules for Rounding Numbers
2. If the first nonsignificant digit is greater than or equal
to five so you know now if it's greater than or equal to
five then we will increase the last significant digit by one
but still drop all the nonsignificant digits
Rules for Rounding Numbers
3. If you have a calculation with two or more operations
well you want to keep at least one nonsignificant digit
until you get down to the final operation and then round
off the answer.
Examples
-A calculator displays 17.846239 and 3 significant digits
are justified.
-A calculator displays 17.856239 and 3 significant digits
are justified.
Placeholder Zeros
-Round the measurement 151 ml to 2 significant digits.
-Round the measurement 2788 g to 3 significant digits.
Examples
1. Round 4.1278 to 3 significant digits.
2. Round 4.1278 to 2 significant digits.
3. Round 63401 to 3 significant digits.
4. Round 0.0562 to 2 significant digits.
Significant Digits
and
Calculation
Significant Digits and Calculations
Multiply/Divide – The answer is limited by the
measurement with the least number of significant digits.
(13.91 m)(23.3 m) = 324.103 m2
Example
Perform the following calculation and report the answer
with the correct number of significant digits:
5.3020 g / 360 mL =
Significant Digits and Calculations
Add/Subtract – The number of places in the answer
should be rounded to the same number of places as the
least precise measurement.
4.1 mL
+3.75 mL
7.85 mL
Example
Perform the following calculation and report the answer
with the correct number of significant digits:
4970 L
-342.1 L
4627.9 L
Significant Digits and Calculations
First: Don’t forget about the Order of Operations!
PEMDAS
Work left to right then:
1. Parenthesis
2. Exponents
3. Multiplication and Division
4. Addition and Subtraction
Examples
Perform the following calculations, being sure to give the
answer with the correct number of significant figures:
a. 14.82 cm x 0.0291 cm =
b. 14.82 in. + 0.0291 in. =
c. 2.51 + 73.18 x 9.406 =
Examples
Perform the following calculations, being sure to give the
answer with the correct number of significant figures:
a. 14.82 cm x 0.0291 cm =
Examples
Perform the following calculations, being sure to give the
answer with the correct number of significant figures:
14.82 in.
+ 0.0291 in.
14.8491 in.
Examples
Perform the following calculations, being sure to give the
answer with the correct number of significant figures:
c. 2.51 + 73.18 x 9.406 =
2.51 + 688.33108
Examples
Perform the following calculations, being sure to give the
answer with the correct number of significant figures:
688.33108
+2.51
690.84108
Thank you
for
today!
