To determine the number of significant digits in the product, we need to consider the rules for multiplying numbers with significant figures:
- When multiplying numbers, count the significant figures in each number being multiplied and choose the smallest number of significant figures as the number of significant figures in the product.
Let's apply this rule to the given numbers:
4.514 x 10^(-3) has 4 significant figures
3.09 x 10^7 has 3 significant figures
2.80 x 10^3 has 3 significant figures
The smallest number of significant figures among the three numbers is 3. Therefore, the product should have 3 significant digits.
Therefore, the correct answer is c) 3.
You are solving a measurement problem where the numbers 4.514 x 10−3, 3.09 x 107, and 2.80 x 103 are multiplied. How many significant digits should the product have?
a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 4
1 answer