Summing Numbers with Significant Digits

To determine the sum of numbers while considering significant digits, we need to follow certain rules. Let's break down the given numbers and calculate their sum while adhering to these rules:

Given numbers:
- 14.90
- 0.0070
- 1.0
- 0.0081

Identifying Significant Digits

Significant digits are the digits in a number that contribute to its precision. We need to consider the number of significant digits in each given number to determine the appropriate number of significant digits in the sum.

1. 14.90: This number has four significant digits.
2. 0.0070: Here, there are two significant digits.
3. 1.0: This number has two significant digits as well.
4. 0.0081: It contains three significant digits.

Performing the Calculation

To sum the given numbers while considering the proper number of significant digits, we follow these rules:

1. Determine the number with the fewest significant digits in the given set. In this case, the number with two significant digits is 0.0070.

2. Round all the other numbers in the set to the same number of decimal places as the number with the fewest significant digits. Therefore, we round 14.90 to two decimal places, resulting in 14.90. We also round 1.0 to two decimal places, resulting in 1.0. Lastly, we round 0.0081 to two decimal places, resulting in 0.0081.

3. Now, we can sum the rounded numbers: 0.0070 + 14.90 + 1.0 + 0.0081 = 15.9151.

4. Finally, we need to round the sum to the appropriate number of significant digits. Since the number with the fewest significant digits had two significant digits, we round the sum to two decimal places.

The Proper Sum with Significant Digits

The sum of the given numbers, considering the proper number of significant digits, is 15.92.

Therefore, 14.90 + 0.0070 + 1.0 + 0.0081 = 15.92.