Thread: Significant Figures

Hi,

I am given an calculation, (517.50 - 217.9)/5.3, and I am supposed to evaluate it to the correct amount of significant figures. I come out with 56.5, but it is incorrect. What am I doing wrong?

Originally Posted by Bashyboy

Hi,

I am given an calculation, (517.50 - 217.9)/5.3, and I am supposed to evaluate it to the correct amount of significant figures. I come out with 56.5, but it is incorrect. What am I doing wrong?

56.5 has three significant figures but 5.3 only has two significant figures.

I have explained further in the spoiler if you are unsure what I meant above.

Spoiler:

Round your answer to two significant figures since answers (and only answers) should be rounded to the least accurate value given (i.e.: the value with the fewest significant figures.

You should get 57 as an answer

Originally Posted by e^(i*pi)

56.5 has three significant figures but 5.3 only has two significant figures.

I have explained further in the spoiler if you are unsure what I meant above.

Spoiler:

Round your answer to two significant figures since answers (and only answers) should be rounded to the least accurate value given (i.e.: the value with the fewest significant figures.

You should get 57 as an answer

The interval answer is slightly larger than [56,57], or the answer is ~56.53 +/- 0.55, which is close to being 2 significant digits but not quite there.


CB