4.Report your answer in correct significant figures.
A.1.32*10^4cm+2.1*10^2
Rules for addition and sig figs are that you go by the decimal place. 2.1 has 1 decimal place. So the answer has to have 1 decimal place as well. 1.3*10^4.
And you have what? Show your work and explain what you don't understand.
To report the answer in correct significant figures, we need to determine the number of significant figures in the given numbers and use the lesser number of significant figures for the final answer.
Let's break down the given numbers:
1.32 * 10^4 cm
- There are three significant figures in 1.32 (1, 3, and 2).
- The exponent 4 does not affect the number of significant figures because it only represents the magnitude of the value.
- Therefore, the given number has three significant figures.
2.1 * 10^2
- There are two significant figures in 2.1 (2 and 1).
- The exponent 2 does not affect the number of significant figures.
- Therefore, the given number has two significant figures.
Since the number with the lesser significant figures in the given numbers is 2, the final answer should also have two significant figures.
Now, let's add the given numbers:
1.32 * 10^4 cm + 2.1 * 10^2
= 13200 cm + 210 cm
= 13410 cm
Since the given numbers were both rounded to two significant figures, the final answer should also be reported with two significant figures.
Therefore, the correct answer, reported in the correct significant figures, is 1.3 * 10^4 cm.