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Multiplication and Division
Round the answer to the same number of significant figures (sig figs) as the measurement with the fewest sig figs in the problem.
34.9cm x 4.7cm = 164.03cm2 = 160cm2 (rounded to two sig figs)
271.0g/99.8cm3 = 2.71543g/cm3 = 2.715 (rounded to four sig figs)
Addition and Subtraction
Round the answer to the fewest decimal places as the measurement with the fewest decimal places.
9.45kg + 8.329kg = 17.78kg (rounded to two decimal places)
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List some rules used to determine the number of significant figures and how they differ for addition and subtraction vs multiplication and division?
For multiplication/division, use the least number of significant figures (ie 6.24 * 2.0 = 12). For addition subtraction, use the least specific number (ie 28.24 - 2.1 = 26.1)
What are the rules in multiplication and division of significant figures?
The accuracy of the answer is limited to the LEAST significant figures of the input. So if two measured quantities are multiplied or divided, one of which is accurate to only two significant figures, and other to six significant figures, the answer is only accurate to two significant figures. HOWEVER: use all the figures you have for the calculation, and then round your answer to two significant figures. Also, however, remember that if you are multiplying by an actual exact number, as in doubling, the significant figures of that 2 is unlimited, so the answer is only limited by the significant figures of the number you are doubling.
For the multiplication of 8.1 m times 6.4 m the result should be reported with how many significant figures?
2 of them.
How many significant figures would be in the result of the multiplication of 2.305956 and 198.40?
Your calculator will produce 10, but only the first 5 mean anything.
How many significant figures in this number 0.025?
There are two significant figures in 0.025.
