Question

How many significant digits are in the number 56.2x9.2057?

a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 5

Answer 1

The correct answer is b) 3 significant figures. This is because in the product of 56.2 and 9.2057, the number 56.2 has three significant figures, and we use the number with the lesser amount of significant figures for the product.

Step-by-step explanation:

The number of significant digits in a multiplication operation is determined by the number with the least amount of significant figures, not just by counting the digits presented. When you have a product like 56.2 x 9.2057, you have to consider each number separately first.

For the number 56.2, there are three significant figures because:

• All non-zero digits are always significant.
• In a number with a decimal point, any zeros to the right of the decimal and to the right of a non-zero number are significant.

For the number 9.2057, there are five significant figures because:

• All non-zero digits are significant.
• Any zeros between non-zero digits are significant.
• Any zeros to the right of the decimal point and at the end of the number are significant if there is a non-zero digit before them.

Since the question asks for the significant digits in the product of these two numbers, we must use the number with the lesser amount of significant figures which is 56.2 with three significant figures.

Therefore, the correct answer is b) 3 significant figures in the product of 56.2 and 9.2057.