Question

Which choice shows the answer to the following mathematical operation with the correct number of significant figures?
$4.51\times {10}^5+3.6\times {10}^3$

• A. $4.55\times {10}^5$
• B. $8.11\times {10}^5$
• C. $4.546\times {10}^5$
• D. $8.11\times {10}^8$
• E. $4.5\times {10}^5$

Answer 1

Answer: (E)

$4.5\times {10}^5$

In addition, the final product is reported as the same number of decimal places as that of the number with least decimal places.

$\therefore 4.51\times {10}^5+3.6\times {10}^3=4.546\times {10}^5$

$=4.5\times {10}^5$