Final answer:
To multiply 12.4 by 1.35, multiply them as whole numbers and then add the decimal point to give three decimal places in the result. The answer, when rounded to significant figures, is 16.74.
Step-by-step explanation:
To multiply 12.4 by 1.35, follow these steps:
Ignore the decimal points and treat both numbers as whole numbers (124 and 135).
Multiply 124 by 135 just as you would with any two whole numbers.
Since 12.4 has one decimal place and 1.35 has two decimal places, the answer must have 1 + 2 = 3 decimal places.
Place the decimal point in the answer so that there are three digits to its right.
Step-by-step calculation:
124 x 135 = 16740
Place the decimal point to get three decimal places: 16.740
The answer, when rounded according to significant figures, is 16.74.