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8.6 Tutorial Topic 8

1. Determine the number of significant figures assuming that the following quantities
have been measured in the laboratory:
(a) The mass of a sample is 128.63 g.
(b) The absolute temperature of a gas is 307 K.
(c) The absolute pressure of a gas is 0.00712 bar.
(d) The absolute temperature of a gas is 307.00 K.
(e) The mass of a sample is 100 g.

2. A sample weight is stated as 1,200 g, however, if it weighs exactly 1,200 g resolve

the ambiguity as to the number of significant figures as follows:
(a) Use the decimal point method and state number of significant figures.
(b) Change the unit prefix and state number of significant figures.
(c) Use scientific notation and state number of significant figures.

3. A sample weight is stated as 1,200 g, however, if it weighs 1,200 g to on hundredth

of a gram then resolve the ambiguity as to the number of significant figures as
follows:
(a) Use the decimal point method and state number of significant figures.
(b) Change the unit prefix and state number of significant figures.
(c) Use scientific notation and state number of significant figures.

4. Consider the following measurements 1300 (precise to hundred units), 0.0013,

0.00105, 13040 (precise to ten units),1300.0 and determine the following:
(a) The number of significant figures in each case.
(b) Write the numbers in scientific notation.
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5. Consider the following measured values and round them to four significant figures:
(a) 18.843 g.
(b) 18.845 g apply the rule “five or more round up”.
(c) 18.845 g apply the rule “round to even”.
(d) 18.855 g apply the rule “five or more round up”.
(e) 18.855 g apply the rule “round to even”.

6. The following measured values have to be multiplied and divided, see below, apply
the rules of significant arithmetic to round the final result (the result that would
appear on a calculator is also indicated below):
(a) 7×7 = 49
(b) 7.0×7 = 49
(c) 7.0×7.0 = 49.
(d) 1605×152 = 243,960
(e) 10.0/4 = 3.25
(f) 10.0/4.0 = 3.25
(g) 10.0/4.00 = 3.25
(h) 5.782/3.200 = 1.806875

7. The following measured values have to be added and subtracted, see below, apply
the rules of significant arithmetic to round the final result (the result that would
appear on a calculator is also indicated below):
(a) 4 + 3.1 = 7.1
(b) 4.0 + 3.1 = 7.1
(c) 15.2 + 160 = 175.2
(d) 15.2 + 160. = 175.2
(e) 15.2 + 160.0 = 175.2
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(f) 17 – 5.1 = 11.9

(g) 17.0 – 5.1 = 11.9
8. An A-4 sheet of paper has a measured length L = (29.7±0.1) cm and measured
width W = (21.0 ±0.1) cm, use the formula below to calculate the perimeter “P” (cm)
of the A-4 sheet. Calculate how the uncertainty of the individual measurements
propagate through an uncertainty in the final calculated result and quote the final
result to an appropriate number of significant figures.

P = 2L + 2W

9. An A-4 sheet of paper has a measured length (L = (29.7±0.1) cm and measured

width W = (21.0 ±0.1) cm, use the formula below to calculate the area “A” (cm) of
the A-4 sheet. Calculate how the uncertainty of the individual measurements
propagate through an uncertainty in the final calculated result and quote the final
result to an appropriate number of significant figures.

A = LW