When multiplying and dividing measured quantities, the number of significant figures in the result should be equal to the number of significant figures in _____.

Question

When multiplying and dividing measured quantities, the number of significant figures in the result should be equal to the number of significant figures in _____.
all of the measurements
the least precise measurement
the most precise measurement
the least and most precise measurements

DrBob222 · Answer

I think b is the best answer of the choices given.
Here is an example: 2.345 x 2.0 = 4.690. There are four significant figures in 2.345 and two in 2.0 so you will be allowed two in the answer. That will be 4.7. Same process in division. I don't look for what I see as the least precise measurement; rather I count the number of s.f. in each of the numbers and use an answer with the least number of s.f. in any of the numbers multiplied. Again, 1 x 2.556 x 3.54 x 9.999999 = 90.48239 but the number 1 has only 1 s.f. so you give the answer as 9E1.