Significant Zeros and Histograms

       This week’s lessons have varied a little bit, content wise but I have definitely learned in the process. For the first couple of days, we continued on about the prior week’s review lesson. In doing so we recorded each table groups overall information through histogram graph. I found this way of collecting data interesting because I have never heard of it before. Basically, you make a box from one number to the next to show what a certain group got. If more than one group got the same number, you would put another box on top of the original one. To be more specific here is a photo. I think learning about histograms and how to use them will be very helpful for me in the future. 

      Pertaining to the main ideas of this week of Significant Zeros and Significant Digits in measurement, I definitely feel that the lecture really did educate me on knowing what sig figs (significant figures) are and how they are used. Significant figures are digits that are counted as significant. For example, the number 9.627, there are 4 sig figs. With learning sig figs, also comes learning about zeros. I learned that there are many types of zeros. There are zeros that are place holders, which come after a digit or exact number (e.g. 100, 140, 80, etc.). There are also zeros that come before a number, when dealing with a decimal (e.g. 0.02, 0.016, etc.), these are Significant Zeros. Following this idea, we learned that once a measurement is recorded, all obvious numbers are recorded and one estimated number, this is known as a Sig. Digit. Here is a picture to be clearer about the idea. Significant digits in measurement overall have 5 rules. 1. All non-zeros are significant e.g. 9, 12, 35643) 2. Sandwiched zeros (those that occur between two significant digits) are significant (e.g. 1.005 having 4 sig. Zeros, 34.01026 having 7 sig figs, etc.). 3. Zeros that are only place holders for a decimal are not significant (e.g. 0.005 having 1 sig fig, 0.0047 having only 2 sig figs, etc.). 4. Zeros at the end if a number that also contains a decimal are significant. These "trailing zeros" are only significant if the number contains a decimal point, for example: 4.500 has 4 sig figs and 3.0 has 2 sig figs. Lastly, rule 5. This rule is for exact numbers (without doubt or uncertainty, like 173). Here is a chart for a better understanding. When dealing with digits, I also came to an understanding that one digit can also have more than one rule. For example, the number 6040. This number is significant because it fits into the guidelines of rules 1, 2, 3 and 5. This number has zeros, there is an "in between-er" zero between 6 and 4, this is an exact number with no decimals or uncertainty.

       In order to grasp these various concepts, our class worked with their assigned group members to work through 2 pogils. One pogils worksheet was about significant zeros and measurement, and the other pogil was about Significant Zeros. We also listened to an informing lecture and had a class discussion and these main ideas.

       Overall I think I have understood the concept of sig figs, but I feel I do need more practice to fully be able to confidently give answers to questions about them. As far as my participation towards the subject goes, I feel that I have asked questions that have I needed answered and that has helped me. My overall understanding of the topic would be 8 out of 10. I'm definitely looking forward to exploring more on the topic and other lessons that are to come.