1. 80.00 g has four significant digits
QUESTION:
How should the result of the following calculation be reported? (80.00 g) / (10.0 mL) A. 8 g/mL, B. 8.0 g/mL, C g/mL, D g/mL
Rule for multiplication or division: express answer to as many significant figures as the term with the fewest number of significant figures.
80.00 g has four significant digits
10.0 mL has three significant digits (fewer)
Therefore express answer to 3 significant digits:
8.00 g/mL
SCRIPT 1A-4-1
How should the result of the following calculation be reported?
Eighty point zero zero grams…
Divided by…
Ten point zero milliliters
Should it be reported as 8 grams per milliliter…
Eight point zero grams per milliliter…
Eight point zero zero grams per milliliter… Or
Eight point zero zero zero grams per milliliter
CLICK
When multiplying or dividing numbers with significant figures, the rule is to express the answer to as many significant figures as the term with the fewest significant figures.
Let’s examine the terms given here….
Eighty point zero zero grams has four significant digits.
Ten point zero milliliters has three significant digits
Three is less than four.
Therefore, the answer should be expressed to only three significant digits.
The correct answer is 8.00 grams per milliliter
PAUSE 2 seconds
END RECORDING

2. Video ID: 1A-4-1 © 2008, Project VALUE (Video Assessment Library for Undergraduate Education), Department of Physical Sciences Nicholls State University Author: Glenn V. Lo Funded by Louisiana Board of Regents Contract No. LA-DL-SELECT-13-07/08