The dimensions of a wooden block are 20m × 15m .The number of signific...
Significant Figures:
Significant figures are the digits in a number that carry meaningful information about its precision. They are used to indicate the level of uncertainty or approximation in a measurement or calculation.
Determining Significant Figures:
To determine the number of significant figures in a measurement, the following rules are generally followed:
1. Non-zero digits are always significant. For example, in the number 23.4, all three digits (2, 3, and 4) are significant.
2. Zeros between non-zero digits are always significant. For example, in the number 203, all three digits are significant.
3. Leading zeros (zeros before the first non-zero digit) are not significant and are used only to locate the decimal point. For example, in the number 0.0032, the two zeros are not significant.
4. Trailing zeros (zeros at the end of a number) are significant only if they are after the decimal point. For example, in the number 120.00, all five digits are significant.
5. Zeros at the end of a number without a decimal point may or may not be significant. They are considered significant if they have been measured or are part of a measurement. For example, in the number 1500, the zeros may or may not be significant depending on the context.
Calculating the Area of the Wooden Block:
To calculate the area of the wooden block, we multiply its length (20m) by its width (15m):
Area = Length × Width
= 20m × 15m
= 300m²
Significant Figures in the Area:
In the given calculation, both the length and width of the wooden block are given with two significant figures. Therefore, the result, which is the area, should also be expressed with two significant figures.
The area of the wooden block is 300m², but we can only report two significant figures. In this case, we need to round the result to 2 significant figures. Since the digit after the second significant figure (0) is less than 5, we round down:
Rounded Area = 300m² (rounded to 2 significant figures)
Thus, the area of the wooden block should be reported as 300m² with two significant figures.
Summary:
- The number of significant figures in a measurement depends on the rules mentioned above.
- In the given wooden block's dimensions (20m × 15m), both values have two significant figures.
- Therefore, the area of the wooden block, which is 300m², should be reported with two significant figures.
- The rounded result is 300m², maintaining two significant figures.
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