College

Select the answer with the correct number of significant figures for the calculation:

[tex]\[ 31.580 + 4.26 = \][/tex]

A. 35.8
B. 35.84
C. 35.840

Answer :

To determine the correct number of significant figures in the result of the calculation [tex]\(31.580 + 4.26\)[/tex], follow these steps:

1. Identify the number of decimal places in each value:
- The number 31.580 has three decimal places.
- The number 4.26 has two decimal places.

2. Determine the rule for addition regarding significant figures:
- For addition, the result should have the same number of decimal places as the measurement with the fewest decimal places.

3. Add the numbers together:
- [tex]\(31.580 + 4.26 = 35.840\)[/tex]

4. Adjust the result to the correct number of decimal places:
- Since 4.26 has the fewest decimal places (two decimal places), the result should be rounded to two decimal places.

5. Final result with proper rounding:
- The correctly rounded result is 35.84.

Thus, the answer with the correct number of significant figures is 35.84.