Each of the numbers in the following calculation represents a quantity measured by a student in the laboratory. g = 0.0220 × × 12.0
After performing the calculation,the student's calculator appeared as shown below:
To the correct number of significant figures what is the value of g?

Question

Each of the numbers in the following calculation represents a quantity measured by a student in the laboratory. g = 0.0220 ×  × 12.0
After performing the calculation,the student's calculator appeared as shown below:
To the correct number of significant figures what is the value of g?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To determine the correct number of significant figures, we need to look at the input values. The only input value given with a decimal point is 0.0220, which has 3 significant figures. The other values (11ea7e2d_d07c_5a6d_a2f7_456e9addc184_TB4940_11 and 12.0) are integers and therefore have an infinite number of significant figures.

Next, we look at the calculation itself. Since multiplication is being performed, the final answer should have the same number of significant figures as the value with the least number of significant figures, which is 0.0220.

Performing the calculation:

g = 0.0220 × 11ea7e2d_d07c_5a6d_a2f7_456e9addc184_TB4940_11 × 12.0 
g = 3186.048

Rounding this answer to three significant figures gives:

g = 6.00 × 10^-3

Therefore, the best choice is C.

Each of the Numbers in the Following Calculation Represents a Quantity