EXPLANATION
Question: What is the result of the following calculation with the correct number of significant figures: 3.65 + 1.2 + 0.03?
- a) 5.8
- b) 4.9
- c) 4.88
- d) 4.680
ANSWER: b) 4.9
EXPLANATION:
The correct answer is b) 4.9.
The number 3.65 has 3 significant digits, the number 1.2 has 2 significant digits, and the number 0.03 has 2 significant digits. The least number of significant digits in the problem is 2, so the answer must be rounded to 2 significant digits. Rounding 4.680 to 2 significant digits gives 4.9.
The other answer choices are incorrect because they do not have the correct number of significant digits. Option a, 5.8, has 3 significant digits. Option c, 4.88, has 4 significant digits. Option d, 4.680, has 4 significant digits.
Therefore, the correct answer is 4.9.
