Answer :
To solve the problem of determining the correct number of significant figures in the addition of 31.580 and 4.26, we need to focus on the number of decimal places in the numbers involved:
1. Identify the decimal places:
- The number 31.580 has three decimal places.
- The number 4.26 has two decimal places.
2. Determine the least number of decimal places:
In addition and subtraction, the result should have the same number of decimal places as the number with the least decimal places in the original numbers. In this case, 4.26 has the least number of decimal places, which is two.
3. Perform the addition:
Add the two numbers: [tex]\(31.580 + 4.26 = 35.84\)[/tex] (rounded appropriately).
4. Round to the correct number of decimal places:
Since the number with the least decimal places (4.26) has two, round the result, which is 35.839999999999996, to two decimal places. This gives us 35.84.
Therefore, the correct answer with the appropriate significant figures is 35.84.
1. Identify the decimal places:
- The number 31.580 has three decimal places.
- The number 4.26 has two decimal places.
2. Determine the least number of decimal places:
In addition and subtraction, the result should have the same number of decimal places as the number with the least decimal places in the original numbers. In this case, 4.26 has the least number of decimal places, which is two.
3. Perform the addition:
Add the two numbers: [tex]\(31.580 + 4.26 = 35.84\)[/tex] (rounded appropriately).
4. Round to the correct number of decimal places:
Since the number with the least decimal places (4.26) has two, round the result, which is 35.839999999999996, to two decimal places. This gives us 35.84.
Therefore, the correct answer with the appropriate significant figures is 35.84.
