Chapter 1, Problem 50QP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The answers to the given calculations are to be expressed with correct units and the correct number of significant figures.

Concept introduction:

Significant figures are the number of digits that are used to express a calculated quantity. It is very important to report a numerical result with the correct number of significant figures.

The rules involved in determining the correct number of significant figures are:

For addition and subtraction, the answer should contain same number of decimal places as present in the measurement with the least number of significant digits.

In multiplication and division, the number of significant figures in the final product or quotient is determined by the original number that has the smallest number of significant figures.

Exact numbers have an infinite number of significant figures.

While reporting the final answer round up if the first non-significant digit is $5$ or greater than $5$, and round down if it is below $5$.