Question

Which is the correct product of the significant figures 3.278 and 4.23? . A.14 . B.13.9 . C.13.86 . D.13.865 . E.13.86594 . . Explain if you can please.

Answer 1

To answer the question above, first, just multiply directly the numbers. 
                                 3.278 x 4.23 = 13.86594

The rule for the significant figures for multiplication of two or more numbers is that the number of significant figures of the product should be equal to the least number of significant figures of the factors. From the given above, the first factor has 4 significant figures and the second only has 3. Therefore, the product should only have 3 significant figures. The answer is letter B. 13.9

Answer 2

Let us first multiply the numbers that are given in the question.
3.278 x 4.23 = 13.86594.
Now comes the important part of finding the correct answer. The first number has four significant figures and the second number has three significant figures. The result or the product of these two numbers should have three significant figures. The answer will then be 13.9. The correct option among all the options that are given in the question is option "B".