SIGNIFICANT FIGURES CHEAT SHEET
ZEROS
1) Zeros between other nonzero digits are significant.
Ex. 103 and 1.03 have 3 sig. figs
2) Zeros in front of nonzero digits are not significant.
Ex. 0.0034 and 0.34 has 2 sig. figs
3) Zeros at the end of a number and to the right of the decimal are significant.
Ex. 64.00 and 640.0 has 4 sig. figs
4) Zeros at the end of a number with out a decimal are not significant.
Ex. 2400 and 240 have 2 sig. figs
ADDING AND SUBTRACTING – Least past rule
The answer should have the same number of digits to the right of the decimal as the number
with the smallest amount of digits to the right of the decimal.
Ex. 97.3 + 5.85 = 103.15 which rounds to 103.2 (1 decimal past)
MULTIPLYING AND DIVIDING – Least digits rule
The answer has the same number of significant figures as the number with the smallest amount
of significant figures.
Ex. 123.0 * 5.35 = 658.05 which rounds to 658 (3 sig. figs)
Algebra Review
Solve for the unknown variable(s)
1) 3x  5  7 x  2
2) 2 x 2  9 x  12  14
3)
1 1 1
 
5 x 6
4)
15
15

2
2x
5  x2
5)
84
3x  4

14
72x  4


6) 12 5 x 2  32  3 x  7
7)
8)
2.0y  6.0x 2
5.0  8.0x  y
3 x  y  12
10 x  2 y  3
x yz 9
9) 2.7 x  z  1.2
y  z  3. 4
10)
Solve for x in terms of y, vi and a. (Pretend they are numbers)
x  vi  cos t
y 
1
at 2
2
This exercise’s purpose is to see how well you can use your calculator. Enter in the numbers is the
appropriate stops and type them into your calculator in 1 step. Using the rules for sig figs, right down
your answer.
Vi= 3.2 a=0.86 t=0.56
x=4.5 65o a=‐9.81 vi=13.8
Vi=5.7 t=2.7 a=3.4
m=1.2 g=9.81 
Vi=1.9 a=6.7 x=47.2
m=1.2 g=9.81 
y=‐15.3 a=‐9.81
m1=230 m2=125 
Vi=5.7 y=‐1.2 a=‐9.81
g=9.81 m1=320 m2=195
g=9.81 m1=320 m2=195 24.6o
g=9.81 l=0.75 
g=9.81 m1=320 m2=195 h=1.46
G=6.67x10‐11 r=3.84x108 m=5.98x1024
d=3.84x108 m1=5.98x1024 m2=7.35x1022
k=8.99x109 q1=6.7x10‐6 q2=4.9x10‐6 q3=2.1x10‐6
r=.25 d=.48
f=15.5 q=23.7