Significant Figures: The Atlantic Pacific Rule

Flashcards covering the Atlantic Pacific rule for determining significant figures, including examples for both decimal present and decimal absent scenarios, and scientific notation.

What is the primary purpose of the Atlantic Pacific rule?

To determine the number of significant figures in a measurement.

What is the first step when applying the Atlantic Pacific rule?

Determine if a decimal is present in the number.

According to the Atlantic Pacific rule, if a decimal is present in a number, which direction do you count significant figures from?

Left to right (Pacific side).

When counting significant figures from left to right (decimal present), where do you begin counting?

From the first non-zero digit, and continue counting all digits to the end of the number.

According to the Atlantic Pacific rule, if a decimal is absent in a number, which direction do you count significant figures from?

Right to left (Atlantic side).

When counting significant figures from right to left (decimal absent), where do you begin counting?

From the first non-zero digit, and continue counting all digits to the end of the number.

How many significant figures are in the number 8.50?

Three significant figures.

How many significant figures are in the number 130?

Two significant figures.

How many significant figures are in the number 12.34?

Four significant figures.

How many significant figures are in the number 0.00123456?

Six significant figures.

How many significant figures are in the number 12,300?

Three significant figures.

How many significant figures are in the number 123.456?

Six significant figures.

When a number is in scientific notation (e.g., 6.12 x 10^5), which part do you use to determine significant figures?

Only the coefficient (the 6.12 part); the power of 10 is ignored.

How many significant figures are in the number 6.12 x 10^5?

Three significant figures.