rounding, sig. fig., etc. - Helpful Tidbits

[Zellmer, Robert]

I always get questions about sig. fig., rounding (whether
I use the special "round even" rule, etc.).  I have several links I
use for 1250, 1210 and 1220 dealing with these topics.  You
will find 1220 links at the "Helpful Tidbits" link for Chem 1220,

Helpful Tidbits for 1220<https://www.asc.ohio-state.edu/zellmer.1/chem1220/faq/faq_1220.htm>

I use the round-even rule when getting rid of an exact 5 or 5 followed
by zeros, such as rounding 1.85 to the tenths place.   You are dropping
the "5".  The number being rounded is exactly halfway between the two
numbers so there's no reason to always round up.  However, you don't
really need to worry if you didn't do this in 1210.  Even if you don't
do this it should not affect you getting the correct answers on the exams
or losing points on the quizzes or labs.  Actually, if you use Excel to do
your calculations and the report sheets you can't use this rule (Excel
doesn't have a function to do this easily).

You still may find these files useful, especially if you don't remember
sig. fig. rules or had trouble with them the first time around.

There's also a link dealing with s.f. for logarithms which you will need
to understand for several experiments and lecture material.  You should
make sure you understand this before the BAR exp.  Sig. fig. for logs can
be tricky at first but are easier than you think.  This will be needed in
dealing with calculations in Ch 14, 16, 17, 19, 20 and 21.

These are just some of the useful links there.  Take a look.  Also, take a
look at the one for 1210, which has additional links for first semester
chemistry.

Helpful Tidbits for 1210<https://www.asc.ohio-state.edu/zellmer.1/chem1210/faq/faq_1210.htm>

Dr. Zellmer
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