Question

Solve the following math problem and report your answer using the correct number of significant figures. 15.2 + 16.215 + 2.2 + 2.77139

Answer 1

36

Explanation:

The spreadsheet or calculator sum of the numbers, as written, is 36.38639. But we are limited by the number with the least significant digits. The value 2.2 only has 2 sig figs. Therefore, the final answer must also contain 2 sig figs, and it becomes just 36. Painful, but true.