INTRODUCTION TO MATHEMATICS

Introduction
Transformation of science was made in the 17th century when it was learned that it can be expressed mathematically Ideas expressed in numbers are said to be unambiguous. It does not give double meanings.

Introduction
Findings expressed mathematically are easier to verify or to disprove by experiment. The use of mathematics gave way to the enormous success of science.

SIGNIFICANT FIGURES
It is the number of reliably known digits a numerical quantity contains. For measured quantity, usually it is all the digits that can be read directly from the instrument used in making the measurement.

RULES: NON-ZERO
All non-zero digits are always significant. Ex. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, & 9

RULES: The Digit Zero

Zeros may not be significant, depending on whether they mark the decimal point or indicate a measured value. Leading Zeros Confined Zeros Trailing Zeros

RULES: LEADING ZERO

Zeros located at the beginning of a number are NEVER significant. They merely locate the decimal point. Ex.: 0.0897 3 SF

RULES: CAPTIVE ZERO

Zeros located between non-zero digits are ALWAYS significant. Ex.: 2805.3 5 SF

RULES: TRAILING ZERO

Zeros located at the end of a number ARE SIGNIFICANT ONLY if the number has an EXPLICITLY SHOWN DECIMAL. Ex.: 123.00 5 SF

RULES: TRAILING ZERO

In WHOLE NUMBERS WITHOUT A DECIMAL POINT that end in one or more zeros, the zeros may NOT BE SIGNIFICANT. Ex.: 3900 2 SF

RULES: TRAILING ZERO

Numbers expressed in scientific notation with zero, follows the rule in decimal number. Ex.: 3.0 x 102 2 SF

EXERCISES
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 25.25 200.5 0.0025 0.025 300 0.0050060070100 5.890 x 105 0.00234 x 10-4

ROUNDING OFF NUMBERS

If the next digit after the last significant figure is 5 or greater, round up. Increase the last significant figure by 1.

Example: 2.136 becomes 2.14 rounded to 3 SF

ROUNDING OFF NUMBERS

If the next digit after the last significant figure is less than 5, round down. Do not change the last significant figure.

Example: 2.132 becomes 2.13 rounded to 3 SF

EXERCISES
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 5679 986.981 0.08762 0.0123 45.81

Significant Figures in Calculations

For addition and subtraction: Round off the sum or difference based on the least number of digits after the decimal point.

Significant Figures in Calculations

For multiplication and division: Round off the product or quotient based on the number that contains the least number of SF.

SCIENTIFIC NOTATIONS
It is a shortcut way of expressing very large and small numbers. Numbers are expressed into greater than but less than ten with a power of ten.

RULES: Scientific Notation

To express a number greater than 1 in scientific notation, we count the number of places the decimal point has to be moved to the left to put just after the first digit of the number. The number of movement of decimal point equals the positive exponent.

EXAMPLE

30,000,000 can be expressed as 3 x 107

RULES: Scientific Notation

To express a number smaller than 1 in scientific notation, we count the number of places the decimal point should be placed after the first non-zero digit. The number of movement of decimal point to the right equals the negative exponent.

EXAMPLE

0.0008 can be expressed as 8 x 10-4

EXERCISES
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 7,020,000 847 0.000462 0.00000184 72.4

RULES: Multiplication and Division

In multiplication, the numerical parts are simply multiplied together and the exponents are added. In division, the numbers are divided and the exponents are subtracted algebraically.

EXAMPLE

(2 x (2 x 3+2 = (2 x 2) x (10 ) = 4 x 105

3 10 )

2 10 )

RULES: Addition and Subtraction

In adding or subtracting numbers in scientific notation, the exponents must be the same number

EXAMPLE

(2.5 x + (1.20 x 2 = (2.5 + 1.20) x (10 ) = 3.7 x 102

2 10 )

2 10 )

EXAMPLE

(2.5 x + (1.20 x 2 2 = (2.5 x 10 ) + (12.0 x 10 ) = 14.5 x 102

2 10 )

3 10 )