Significant Figures ?

Question

Determine the answer for each of the following. Be sure to use the correct number of significant figures.

a) 17.34 +4.900+23.1=

b) 9.80 - 4.762=

Answer 1

For addition and subtraction...final answer should have enough significant figures to match the position of the last significant figure in any of the measured quantities. That is, the final answer is only as precise as the decimal position of the least precise value.

E.g.: 17.34 +4.900+23.1= 45.34

However, since 23.1 has only 1 value past the decimal place, then our final answer is only 45.3

Same for your other one:

9.80 - 4.762= 5.038, but since 9.80 has only 2 digits after the decimal place, then your final answer is 5.04 (round the 3 up to a 4 since 8 is greater than 5)

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