Question

Which solution contains the correct number of significant digits for the product 2.80 mm : 0.1 mm

Answer 1

2.8mm x 0.1 mm = 0.280 mm
Since 0.1 is a tenths place so we would have move the decimal place one space to the left.

Answer 2

0.3 mm²

Explanation:

The question asks for the product with correct number of significant figures.

To get the product we must multiply the numbers:

2.80 mm × 0.1 mm = 0.280 mm²

The correct number of significant figures for the product of two numbers correspond to the least number of significant figures of the initial numbers.

• the first number (2.80) has three significant figures
• the second number (0.1) has one significant figures

The least number of significant figures in this case is one (0.1 has 1 significant figure), hence the answer should have one figure.

We must then round the product to leave it with one significant figure:

2.80 mm × 0.1 mm = 0.3 mm²