Given the calculation: 1.987 × 6.02 = ?, what is the answer reported to the correct number of significant figures?
A) 11.96174
B) 11.96
C) 12.0
D) 12

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

1.987 has 4 significant figures and 6.02 has 3 significant figures. When multiplying, the answer should have the same number of significant figures as the number with the least amount of significant figures, which is 3. Therefore, the answer should have 3 significant figures. Multiplying the two numbers gives 11.96174. When rounded to 3 significant figures, the answer becomes 12.0, which has a trailing zero indicating that it was intentionally rounded to this degree of precision. Thus, the best choice is C.

Given the Calculation: 1