Identify the correct number of significant figures for this answer: 4.26 x 12.834 x 3.8

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Question restatement: Determine the correct number of significant figures for the product 4.26 × 12.834 × 3.8.

Option 1: 3
- When multiplying measurements, the result should be reported with the number of significant figures equal to the smallest number among the factors. The factors have 3, 5, and 2 sig figs respectively. The smallest is 2, so 3 is too many.

Option 2: 5
- Reporting 5 sig figs would require each factor to contribute that many figures, but one factor has only 2 sig figs. Since you are constrained by the least precise measurement, 5 is incorrect.

Option 3: 4
- While a common misstep is to round to a midpoint like 4, the rule remains that the limiting factor is the smallest sig fig count among the operands. Here the smallest is 2, so 4 overstates precision.

Option 4: 2
- This matches the fundamental rule for multiplication: the result should have as many sig figs as the factor with the fewest sig figs. Since the factors have 3, 5, and 2 sig figs, the product should be reported with 2 sig figs, reflecting the least precise measurement.

Note: The numerical reasoning hinges on the rule for significant figures in multiplication rather than addition/subtraction, where decimal places would matter. Here, only the count of significant figures in each factor determines the final count, leading to 2 significant figures for the product.

FFP001 Threshold Quiz 2 | LA007

Identify the correct number of significant figures for this answer: 4.26 x 12.834 x 3.8

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