Answer :
To solve the problem of adding the numbers 31.580 and 4.26 with the correct number of significant figures, we need to pay attention to the decimal places involved.
1. Identify the Decimal Places:
- 31.580 has three decimal places.
- 4.26 has two decimal places.
2. Add the Numbers:
- Perform the addition: [tex]\( 31.580 + 4.26 = 35.840 \)[/tex].
3. Determine the Decimal Places for the Result:
- According to the rule for addition, the result should have the same number of decimal places as the measurement with the fewest decimal places.
- Since 4.26 has two decimal places, our result should also be expressed with two decimal places.
4. Round the Result to the Correct Decimal Places:
- The result of the addition is originally 35.840, which needs to be rounded to two decimal places: [tex]\( 35.84 \)[/tex].
So, the answer with the correct number of significant figures is 35.84.
1. Identify the Decimal Places:
- 31.580 has three decimal places.
- 4.26 has two decimal places.
2. Add the Numbers:
- Perform the addition: [tex]\( 31.580 + 4.26 = 35.840 \)[/tex].
3. Determine the Decimal Places for the Result:
- According to the rule for addition, the result should have the same number of decimal places as the measurement with the fewest decimal places.
- Since 4.26 has two decimal places, our result should also be expressed with two decimal places.
4. Round the Result to the Correct Decimal Places:
- The result of the addition is originally 35.840, which needs to be rounded to two decimal places: [tex]\( 35.84 \)[/tex].
So, the answer with the correct number of significant figures is 35.84.
