Please help with my chemistry homework...?

Question

am not exactly looking for the answer. More of an explanation of why and how you get to the answer. I don't quite understand the concept. Please help me find an easier way.

(3.2 x 10^4)(4.1 x 10^-6)

Do I just multiply the sig figs and then add the exponents? I cant find it in my book. Please help.

Answer 1

the first number has 2 sig figs and the second one has 2 sig figs so the answer will have 2 sig figs.  

FYI if one of the numbers had 1 sig fig and the other had 2 sig figs then you'd only have 1 sig fig in the answer.

(both of these numbers have 2 sig figs, see: 3.2 x 10^4 = 32,000  and 4.1 x 10^-6= 0.0000041  )

Your answer is like this: 4.1 x (10^(-6))) * ((3.2 * 10) - 4) = 0.0001148 but considering sig figs this becomes: 0.00011 or 1.1 x 10^-4