Help with significant figures! MEDAL!!!

The mass of a watch glass was measured four times. The masses were 99.997 g, 100.008 g, 100.011 g, and 100.005 g. What is the average mass of the watch glass?

Question

Help with significant figures! MEDAL!!!

The mass of a watch glass was measured four times. The masses were 99.997 g, 100.008 g, 100.011 g, and 100.005 g. What is the average mass of the watch glass?

benji · Answer

Wouldn't the average just be them all added then divided by how many there were?

calculusxy · Answer

Yes but I need to put the average with the correct number of significant figures.

vuriffy · Answer

Not necessarily.

benji · Answer

Well, what is the average without the figures in regard.

calculusxy · Answer

100.00525

vuriffy · Answer

Hey, @calculusxy, I would assume you stick with the amount of values after the decimal, which would point out the average to be put as: 100.005.

benji · Answer

Does it tell you how many significant figures you need?

benji · Answer

Ya I agree with @Vuriffy if it doesnt tell you any other specific amount

vuriffy · Answer

It does in the sense where it gave you all the values in the same significant figure.

calculusxy · Answer

In multiplying/dividing it says to round it to the least number of significant figures (sig figs) from the factor or the divisor/dividend

calculusxy · Answer

But in adding/subtracting you would need to round it to the least number of decimal points from the numbers that are being added.

vuriffy · Answer

I believe they are already in their least amount of form.