Question

The edges of a shoebox are measured to be 11.3 cm, 18.9 cm, and 29 cm. Determine the volume of the box retaining the proper number of significant figures in your answer.

Answer 1

The volume (V) is given in terms of length (L), width (W), and height (H) by the formula ...

... V = LWH

Substituting your dimensions, you have

... V = (11.3 cm)·(18.9 cm)·(29 cm) = 6193.53 cm³ ≈ 6200 cm³

_____

The factor 29 cm has 2 significant digits, so that is the precision required of the answer. It could also be written with less ambiguity as to precision as 6.2 L. (Trailing zeros to the left of the decimal point are always ambiguous when it comes to significant digits.)