Question

(34.123 + 8.60)/(98.7654 - 5.945)= 0.46027597I need help with significant figures.

Answer 1

Rules regarding significant figures:

1) Non-zero digits are always significant.

2) Any zeros between two significant digits are significant.

3) A final zero or trailing zeros in the decimal portion ONLY are significant.

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Step 1

In subtraction and addition operations:

The final answer may have no more significant figures to the right of the decimal than the LEAST number of significant figures in any number in the problem.

Procedure:

Numerator)

34.123 has 5 significant figures

8.60 has 3 significant figures

Therefore, (34.123 + 8.60) = 42.723 = 42.72 according to this rule

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Denominator)

98.7654 has 6 significant figures and 5.945 has 4.

Therefore, 98.7654 - 5.945 = 92.8204 = 92.820 according to this rule

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Division)

The LEAST number of significant figures in any number of the problem determines the number of significant figures in the answer.

42.72 has 4 significant figures and 82.820 has 5

`(\left(34.123+8.60\right))/(\left(98.7654-5.945\right))=(42.72)/(92.820)=\text{ 0.46024 = 0.4602}`

Answer: 0.4602 (4 significant figures)