Question

Use the rules of significant figures to answer the following question:

67.31 - 8.6 + 212.198

A. 270.9
B. 271
C. 270.908
D. 270

Answer 1

A. 270.9

Explanation:

We know that the rule of significant figures for addition and subtraction states that 'the number of places after the decimal point in the result is equal to the least number of decimal places in each term.'

So, 67.31 - 8.6 + 212.198 = 67.31 + 212.198 - 8.6 = 279.508 - 8.6 = 270.908

Now, the resultant number is 270.908

Using the rule of significant figures, we get that, the number of places after the decimal point in 270.908 will be equal to the least number of decimal places i.e. 1 ( in 8.6 )

Hence, 67.31 - 8.6 + 212.198 = 270.9