Question

At the start of an experiment, some chemicals had a mass of 73 g, rounded to 2 significant figures.

During the experiment, the mass of the chemicals decreased by 8.2 g, rounded to 2 significant figures.
Calculate the lower and upper bounds of the mass of the chemicals at the end of the experiment.

Answer 1

The lower and upper bounds of the mass of the chemicals at the end of the experiment are 64.8 g and 81.2 g, respectively.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the lower and upper bounds of the mass of the chemicals at the end of the experiment, we need to consider the significant figures in each measurement. The initial mass of the chemicals is given as 73 g, rounded to 2 significant figures. The decrease in mass during the experiment is 8.2 g, also rounded to 2 significant figures.

Since addition and subtraction should result in an answer with the same number of decimal places as the measurement with the least number of decimal places, the lower and upper bounds of the mass at the end of the experiment would be 64.8 g and 81.2 g, respectively.