Kwame is measuring the dimensions of a box he will be using in a coming experiment. He measures the dimensions of the box as 0.885 meters wide 0.20 meters deep, and 0.75 meters tall. Using the correct number of significant figures, what is the volume of this box?

Question

0.1327500m cubed
0.1328m cubed
0.13m cubed
0.133m cubed

Answer 1

To calculate the volume of the box, we use the formula for volume of a rectangular prism:

\[ \text{Volume} = \text{Width} \times \text{Depth} \times \text{Height} \]

Given the measurements:

• Width = 0.885 meters
• Depth = 0.20 meters
• Height = 0.75 meters

Now, we calculate the volume:

\[ \text{Volume} = 0.885 , \text{m} \times 0.20 , \text{m} \times 0.75 , \text{m} \]

Calculating step by step:

1. \(0.885 , \text{m} \times 0.20 , \text{m} = 0.177 , \text{m}^2\)
2. \(0.177 , \text{m}^2 \times 0.75 , \text{m} = 0.13275 , \text{m}^3\)

Now, we need to determine the correct number of significant figures. The number of significant figures depends on the least precise measurement among the dimensions:

• 0.885 has 3 significant figures
• 0.20 has 2 significant figures
• 0.75 has 2 significant figures

The least number of significant figures is 2 (from 0.20 and 0.75). Therefore, we should round the volume, 0.13275 m³, to 2 significant figures.

Rounding 0.13275 to 2 significant figures gives us 0.13 m³.

Thus, the volume of the box, expressed with the correct number of significant figures, is:

0.13 m³.