Question

Hi I've been trying this problem for 3 times, but still don't get it. This is my last try, so i would appreciate someone clarifying this problem for me

Answer 1

How many significant figures would be re- tained in the solution to
[(2 + 0.0031) + (413 / 12)]×(2.45×1.83) = 1. three
2. two
3. zero
4. five 5. one 6. four

Answer 2

I know is not 5 even though the 2 is one digit

Answer 3

also know is not zero because there are numbers with higher digits than 0

Answer 4

and finally I know is not five just because

Answer 5

so my only possible answers are: number 1, or number 2

Answer 6

http://www.usca.edu/chemistry/genchem/sigfig2.htm

Answer 7

that doesn't really help

Answer 8

i was there already

Answer 9

According to the link above the following information is relevant to your problem.

When adding or subtracting numbers, count the NUMBER OF DECIMAL PLACES to determine the number of significant figures. The answer cannot CONTAIN MORE PLACES AFTER THE DECIMAL POINT THAN THE SMALLEST NUMBER OF DECIMAL PLACES in the numbers being added or subtracted.

When multiplying or dividing numbers, count the NUMBER OF SIGNIFICANT FIGURES. The answer cannot CONTAIN MORE SIGNIFICANT FIGURES THAN THE NUMBER BEING MULTIPLIED OR DIVIDED with the LEAST NUMBER OF SIGNIFICANT FIGURES.

This information tells exactly how to figure out the correct answer. Takes a bit of work on your part, but yes you can figure it out.

Answer 10

yeah I know, so the answer would be to solve the equation, and since the 2 has only 1 digit or significant figure the answer would be round to one digit

Answer 11

this means the equation would equal to 200

Answer 12

What equation? Equations have equal signs.

Answer 13

However the answer is not 1(or number 5)

Answer 14

I meant problem, I'm sorry

Answer 15

Maybe i read the question wrong, but thats what I need a guide

Answer 16

Explain how you went about eliminating options.

Answer 17

I tried #5, and it was wrong. I know that it is not five digits because there is no number with 5 digits, and if there was there is numbers with less digits.

Answer 18

and I'm not sure why it can't be three, two, or four digits

Answer 19

What was the result you got before rounding up to 200 (which you should not have done).

Answer 20

163.2880239

Answer 21

Mind showing how you got that step by step?

Answer 22

I plot the whole problem in the calculator

Answer 23

No, you shouldn't have.

Answer 24

but I know I first would have to solve whats inside the keys

Answer 25

or i don't know what they are called in english

Answer 26

You have to perform each operation one step at a time while following the rules for significant digits.

Answer 27

alright so: ((2+0.0031)+(41/12)=40

Answer 28

because i had to round up

Answer 29

to one digit right?

Answer 30

now I solve the whole thing 40×(2.45×1.83)=179.34

Answer 31

then I have to round up to 1 digit since 40 mis the lowest significant figure and it only has one digit

Answer 32

this means 179.34 rounds up to 200

Answer 33

right?

Answer 34

You should follow ORDER of OPERATIONS. Multiply BEFORE adding from left to right.

Answer 35

(2 + 0.0031) + (413 / 12)]×(2.45×1.83) =[(2+0.0031)+(413/12)]x(4.4835)

Answer 36

is that what you meant?

Answer 37

Okay, yes, we should keep track of parentheses as well. You should have gotten 4.48 for (2.45×1.83)

Answer 38

oh right because there is 3 digits in there

Answer 39

make sense

Answer 40

The result can only be accurate to two decimal places.

Answer 41

For that operation

Answer 42

[(2.0031)+(34.42)]x(4.4835)

Answer 43

The result of an operation can only be accurate to the number with the least amount of decimal places. In other words, you should not have decimal places when dividing whole numbers.

Answer 44

[(2+0.0031)+(34)]x(4.4835)

Answer 45

now I add the ones inside, right?

Answer 46

Yep, but add according to the rules.

Answer 47

it would be 2.0

Answer 48

i mean 2

Answer 49

the lowest is 2 thats why, so 2+34=36=40

Answer 50

[40]x(4.48)=179.2

Answer 51

What rule says to round 36 to 40?

Answer 52

40 has only 1 digit. I rounded to one digit because of the two

Answer 53

How many significant figures does 4.48 have?

Answer 54

3

Answer 55

By the way, you shouldn't round 36 to 40.

Answer 56

alright

Answer 57

so 36(4.48)=180

Answer 58

36 has two significant digits which means our result should have only two significant digtts.

Answer 59

let me try, I'm gonna submit

Answer 60

Yes! it was 2 thank you so much

Answer 61

you helped me understanding it. The calculator is worthless!

Answer 62

The calculator does not know how to deal with significant digits unless you program it to do so.

Answer 63

but i guess there is some calculators that do, right?

Answer 64

Perhaps Wolfram Alpha does, but you would still have to use a special program for it. It won't do it automatically.

Answer 65

The calculator doesn't know you want to round to significant digits.

Answer 66

yeah of course

Answer 67

Good luck with the rest of your homework. Have a good one.

Answer 68

Thank you! you too