How do you perform a indicated operation and right the answer with the correct numbers of significant digits. The problem is 97.2m - 16.04m

Question

How do you perform a indicated  operation and right the answer with the correct numbers of significant  digits. The problem is 97.2m - 16.04m

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

Do you know the sig fig rule with addition and subtraction?

anonymous · Answer

Nope

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

step 1) subtract the numbers like normal

so you'd do 97.2 - 16.04 = 81.16

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step 2) round the result from step 1 based on the least number of decimals in the initial problem

so we take 81.16 and round it to one decimal place (because 97.2 has 1 number after the decimal)

81.16 rounds to 81.2

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

More sig fig rules and examples can be found here http://tournas.rice.edu/website/documents/SignificantFigureRules1.pdf the addition/subtraction rule is found on page 6

anonymous · Answer

Thanks