Final answer:
To answer the student's question, the expression (0.0483)(2.5)(1.2 x 10^-4) was solved by multiplying the numbers normally and then rounding the result to the least number of significant figures from the original numbers, which is two. The final answer is 1.4 x 10^-5.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student asked to solve the expression (0.0483)(2.5)(1.2 x 10-4) and provide the answer with the correct number of significant figures.
To solve the expression, first multiply the numbers ignoring the significant figures.
- Multiply 0.0483 and 2.5 to get 0.12075.
- Then multiply that result by 1.2 x 10-4 to get 1.449 x 10-5.
The number 0.0483 has three significant figures, 2.5 has two, and 1.2 x 10-4 has two. When multiplying, the least number of significant figures from any of the numbers used in the calculation dictates the number of significant figures in the final answer. Thus, the answer should be reported with two significant figures.
Therefore, the final answer rounded to the correct number of significant figures is 1.4 x 10-5.