Question

What is the solution to the problem expressed to the correct number of significant figures?

Answer 1

Answer:

(102 900 ÷ 12) + (170 × 1.27) = 8800

Step 1. Evaluate the expressions inside the parentheses (PEMDAS)

102 900 ÷ 12 = 8575

170 × 1.27 = 215.9

In multiplication and division problems, your answer can have no more significant figures than the number with the fewest significant figures.

Thus, the underlined digits are not significant, but we keep them in our calculator to avoid roundoff error.

Step 2. Do the addition (PEMDAS).

  8575

+    215.9

= 8790.9

Everything that you add to an insignificant digit gives an insignificant digit as an answer.

Thus, the underlined digits are not significant.

We must drop them and round up the answer to 8800.

Explanation: