Question

when the students divide 65.8 by 13, their calculator tells them 5.0615384615. what value should the students report for the density, according to a strict application of the rules for use of significant figures?

Answer 1

5.1

Explanation:

When dividing or multiplying numbers, the answer should have the same amount of significant figures as the number in the problem with the least amount of sig figs.

In the problem 65.8 ÷ 13 ...

65.8 has 3 sig figs

13 has 2 sig figs

13 has THE LEAST AMOUNT OF SIGNIFICANT FIGURES

So, this means the answer must have the same number of sig figs as 13.

Let's round 5.0615384615 to TWO significant figures

the 6 in the number must be rounded up!

Final answer: 5.1

5.1 has TWO sig figs like the number 13