Question

Divide the following three numbers and report your answer to the correct number of significant figures: 0.530 g/0.1010 mL = ?

A) 5.25
B) 5.24
C) 5.2
D) 5.26

Answer 1

To solve the division with the least number of significant figures, divide 0.530 g by 0.1010 mL to get 5.24752475... g/mL and round to three significant figures, resulting in 5.25 g/mL (option A).

Step-by-step explanation:

To divide the numbers 0.530 g by 0.1010 mL and report the answer to the correct number of significant figures, we apply the rule of multiplication and division with significant figures. This rule states that the final answer should be rounded to the same number of significant figures as the measurement with the least number of significant figures.

In the given problem, we have:

• Mass = 0.530 g (three significant figures)
• Volume = 0.1010 mL (four significant figures)

Since the mass measurement has the fewest significant figures, we must round our final density calculation to three significant figures. Calculating and rounding, we get:

1. 0.530 g / 0.1010 mL = 5.24752475... g/mL
2. Round to three significant figures: 5.25 g/mL

Therefore, the correct answer to the division problem, with reference to significant figures, is 5.25 g/mL, which corresponds to option A.