Math using significant figures

Significant figure (digit) = the practice of estimating one more digit than the equipment reads to help increase accuracy and percision

accuracy = obtaining the true value of an unknown (bulls eye)

precision = obtaining reproducible calculated values when practicing laboratory prodcedures. (grouping)

conversion factor = a ratio used to convert from one unit to another; equal to the value of one; derived from the equality between two different units

scientific notation = numbers written in the form M x 10 to the nth power.  where the factor M (the mantissa) is a number greater than or equal to 1 but less than 10 and the n (the exponent) is a whole number

SI = Standard international units of measure; the measurement system accepted worldwide (metric system)

derived unit = a [unit] that is a combination of SI base unit

percent error = a percent value that describes how far off experimental measures are from the true accepted value

dimensional analysis (factor - label method) = a math process utilizing units to set up conversion factors, used to be able to convert from one unit of measure to another.  Grams of NaOH to moles of water.

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