How Many Significant Figures: (11.13-2.6)*10^4+(103.05+16.9)*10^-6

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Victor Frankenstein
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Significant figures
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The calculation presented involves determining the number of significant figures in the expression (11.13 - 2.6) * 10^4 + (103.05 + 16.9) * 10^-6. The result of the subtraction (11.13 - 2.6) yields 8.53, which has three significant figures, while the addition (103.05 + 16.9) results in 119.95, which has four significant figures. The final result must be expressed with the least number of significant figures from the operations involved, leading to a conclusion of three significant figures for the overall calculation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of significant figures in mathematical operations
  • Basic arithmetic operations: addition and subtraction
  • Knowledge of scientific notation
  • Familiarity with the rules of rounding
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the rules for significant figures in subtraction and addition
  • Explore examples of significant figures in scientific calculations
  • Learn about the implications of significant figures in engineering and scientific reporting
  • Study the use of scientific notation in complex calculations
USEFUL FOR

Students in mathematics or science courses, educators teaching significant figures, and professionals in fields requiring precise calculations.

Victor Frankenstein
Messages
29
Reaction score
0
How many significant figures should be retained in the result of the following calculation.

(11.13 - 2.6) * 10^4
-----------------------
(103.05 + 16.9) * 10^-6

is it 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 ?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
This is answered in another thread.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
5K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K