Question about significant digits

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the acceleration of a 2.6 kg mass hanging from a rope attached to a railroad car, which accelerates at an angle of 8.5° with the vertical. The user correctly applies the equations of motion, resulting in an acceleration value of 1.5 m/s². However, the challenge arises from the significant digits required by the webassign.net platform, leading to confusion over acceptable answers. Ultimately, the user finds that entering 1.465 m/s² satisfies the platform's requirements.

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Homework Statement


A 2.6 kg mass hangs at one end of a rope that is attached to a support on a railroad car. When the car accelerates to the right, the rope makes an angle of 8.5° with the vertical, as shown in Figure P4.68. Find the acceleration of the car.

Homework Equations


(Fnet)x=max
(Fnet)y=may

The Attempt at a Solution



(Fnet)y=may
Tcos8.5-mg=0
T=(2.6 x 9.8)/cos 8.5
T=25.76(Fnet)x=max
Tsin8.5=max
Tsin8.5/2.6=ax
ax=25.76 sin 8.5/2.6
ax=1.5NOW HERE'S MY PROBLEM:

I am doing homework on webassign.net and it is very picky about the significant digits in your answer. So far I've put in: 1.5, 1.4, 1.46, and 1.47.

I get 6 tries, which is frusturating because I know I solved it correctly, I just don't know how many significant digits. I assumed I would have 2 significant digits and the answer would be 1.5 because all the given values have 2 significant digits. If someone could help me figure it out, I would appreciate it.

Also (reason for edit): When I put in 1.5 and 1.4 I got this response:
Your answer is within 10% of the correct value. This may be due to roundoff error, or you could have a mistake in your calculation. Carry out all intermediate results to at least four-digit accuracy to minimize roundoff error. m/s2

However, when I bring it out to 1.46 or 1.47 I don't get that message.
 
Last edited:
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Nevermind! I put in 1.465 and it worked.

How frusturating though.
 

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