In: Chemistry
According to the rules on significant figures, the product of the measured quantities 99.9 m and 1.008 m should be expressed to three significant figures— Yet, in this case, it would be more appropriate to express the result to four significant figures— Explain why.
99.9 is known to 0.1 part in 99.9, or 0.1%. 1.008 is known to 0.001 part in 1.008, or 0.1%. The product 100.7 also is known to 0.1 part in 100.7, or 0.1%, which is the same precision as the two factors. On the other hand, the three-significant-figure product, 101, is known to 1 part in 101 or 1%, which is ten times less precise than either of the two factors. Thus, the result is properly expressed to four significant figures.
Precision in products matches the least precise factor, ensuring proper expression of significant figures.