Question

Multiply 3.079 x 10³m by 0.078 x 10-²m, taking into account significant figures.

a) 0.24 x 10¹
b) 0.24 x 10²
c) 2.4 x 10²
d) 2.4 x 10³

Answer 1

The product of 3.079 x 10³m and 0.078 x 10-²m, considering significant figures, is 2.4 x 10¹ (option a).

Step-by-step explanation:

Multiply the significands (the numbers before the powers of 10):

3.079 x 0.078 = 0.240562

Add the exponents of 10:

10³ x 10^-² = 10^(3-2) = 10^1

Apply significant figures:

The first number has 4 significant figures, and the second has 2.

The result should have only 2 significant figures (determined by the least precise number).

Round 0.240562 to 2 significant figures, resulting in 0.24.

Combine the rounded significand with the exponent:

The final answer is 0.24 x 10¹. Option A is answer.