Each of the numbers below is measured. Solve the calculation and give the correct number of significant figures.
3) 52 x 10^-16 - 8.16 x 10^-17

Question

Each of the numbers below is measured. Solve the calculation and give the correct number of significant figures. 3)52 x 10^-16 - 8.16 x 10^-17

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The correct answer is C) 2.7 x 10^-16 because when performing the subtraction, the result should be expressed with the same number of decimal places as the least precise measurement. Since 52 has two significant figures and the operation involves subtraction with a number of lesser magnitude, the result should also be rounded to two significant figures, leading to 2.7 x 10^-16.

Each of the Numbers Below Is Measured