Final answer:
35 thousandths + 8 thousandths equals 43 thousandths equals 0 hundreds and 43 thousandths. When expressed as hundreds, it is 0.43 hundreds, which equals 43 without any hundredths. Rounding is guided by the least precise measurement.
Step-by-step explanation:
When combining 35 thousandths (0.035) and 8 thousandths (0.008), we simply add the numbers: 0.035 + 0.008 = 0.043. So, 35 thousandths + 8 thousandths equals 43 thousandths. To express this in hundreds, we see that 43 thousandths is equal to 0.43 hundreds, or 0.043. However, when we are asked to express 43 thousandths as hundreds and thousandths, it remains 43 thousandths and 0 hundreds (since there are no full hundreds in 43 thousandths).
In a scientific context, significant figures are of great importance. When we round numbers, we must pay attention to the least precise measurement. For example, if we have a measurement of 15.99 g, the farthest right significant digit is in the hundredths place. Thus, when we add 2.016 g to it, the sum of 18.006 g must be rounded to the hundredth place, resulting in 18.01 g. This rounding is due to the least precise measurement guiding the final precision.