How can aplied the 4 fundamental operations on significant figures?

Answer 1

Addition:

Convert the numbers so that the exponents are the same. Add the coefficients. Move the decimal point if necessary.

3.5 x 106 + 5.1 x 104 = 3.5 x 106 + 0.051 x 106 = 3.6 x 106 (rounded to two significant figures)

Subtraction:

Same as addition, except subtract instead of adding.

4.5 x 109 - 7.8 x 1011 = 0.045 x 1011 - 7.8 x 1011 = -7.8 x 1011 (rounded to two significant figures)

**Notice that if you change the smaller exponent to the larger exponent, you won't have to change exponents at the end.

Multiplication:

Multiply coefficients and add exponents.

(5.9 x 1025)(1.2 x 106) = 7.1 x 1031 (rounded to two significant figures)

Division:

Divide coefficients and subtract the exponent in denominator from the exponent in the numerator.

(1.59 x 1015)/(8.74 x 1022) = 0.182 x 10-7 = 1.82 x 10-8 (rounded to three significant figures)