Final answer:
Maria's number, when rounded to the nearest hundredth, is 3.14 because any number between 3.1415 and 3.1416 rounds up to 3.14, in accordance with significant figure rules.
Step-by-step explanation:
Maria is thinking of a number between 3.1415 and 3.1416. To find Maria's number rounded off to the nearest hundredth, we need to look at the third decimal place because that will determine how we round the second decimal place. Since the numbers in question fall between 3.1415 and 3.1416, we understand that the third decimal place is either a 5 or a number greater than 5 (if Maria's number was more precise).
We can apply the same principle we use for significant figures here. When the first digit to be dropped is greater than or equal to 5, we round up. In this case, whether Maria's number is exactly 3.1415 or any number up to 3.1416, we always round up. Therefore, Maria's number rounded to the nearest hundredth is 3.14.