Metric Prefixes, Scientific Notation, and Significant Figures

Flashcards covering metric prefixes, their meanings, and rules for scientific notation and significant figures based on the provided lecture notes.

Giga (G)

A metric prefix meaning 1,000,000,000.

Mega (M)

A metric prefix meaning 1,000,000.

Kilo (K)

A metric prefix meaning 1,000.

Deci (d)

A metric prefix meaning 0.1.

Centi (c)

A metric prefix meaning 0.01.

Milli (m)

A metric prefix meaning 0.001.

Micro (µ)

A metric prefix meaning 0.000,001.

Nano (n)

A metric prefix meaning 0.000,000,001.

Scientific Notation (USA)

A way to express numbers, where the number is between 1 and 10, followed by an X10 exponent.

Non-zero digits (Significant Figures)

Digits that are always considered significant in a measurement.

Leading zeros (Significant Figures)

Zeros that precede all non-zero digits and are not significant. For example, in 0.071, the leading zeros (0.0) are not significant, leaving 2 significant figures.

Captive zeros (Significant Figures)

Zeros that are located between non-zero digits and are always considered significant. For example, 105 has 3 significant figures.