Final answer:
The value of the expression 12.512 ÷ (-3.4) is -3.6805, but considering significant figures, it should be reported as -3.7.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the value of the expression 12.512 ÷ (-3.4), we will perform division while taking note of the fact that when we divide by a negative number, the result is negative. Dividing the given numbers and considering the negative sign, we follow these steps:
Divide 12.512 by 3.4 to get the magnitude of the result.
Apply the negative sign because dividing by a negative number results in a negative quotient.
The final step is to reach a precise result, noting that the number of significant figures in the operands should dictate the number of significant figures in the answer.
Using a calculator, 12.512 ÷ 3.4 results in approximately 3.6805.
However, since we're dividing by -3.4, our result will be -3.6805.
It's important to consider significant figures: 12.512 has five significant figures, and 3.4 has two. When dividing, the number of significant figures in the result should not exceed the number in the least precise measurement, which in this case is 3.4 with two significant figures. Therefore, the result rounded to two significant figures is -3.7.