Math Problem Statement

Distance Including significant figures

Solution

Let's include significant figures in the calculation.

Step 1: Determine the significant figures in the given data

  • x1=13.00x_1 = 13.00 kilometers (4 significant figures)
  • x2=1026021.0x_2 = 1026021.0 centimeters (8 significant figures)

Step 2: Convert to meters with significant figures

  • Convert x1x_1 to meters:
    13.00 kilometers=13000 meters13.00 \text{ kilometers} = 13000 \text{ meters} (4 significant figures)
  • Convert x2x_2 to meters:
    1026021.0 centimeters=10260.21 meters1026021.0 \text{ centimeters} = 10260.21 \text{ meters} (7 significant figures, considering the conversion factor doesn't limit the precision)

Step 3: Calculate the distance with significant figures

Now, subtract the initial position from the final position, while respecting the least number of decimal places (which is 2 decimal places from x2x_2): Distance=10260.21 meters13000 meters\text{Distance} = 10260.21 \text{ meters} - 13000 \text{ meters} Distance=2739.79 meters\text{Distance} = -2739.79 \text{ meters}

Step 4: Adjust for significant figures

The result 2739.79-2739.79 meters has 6 significant figures. However, the distance calculated is based on the measurement with the least number of significant figures (4 significant figures from the 1300013000 meters).

Thus, we round the distance to 4 significant figures: Distance traveled=2739.79 meters2740 meters\text{Distance traveled} = 2739.79 \text{ meters} \approx 2740 \text{ meters}

So, the person traveled 2740 meters when rounded to 4 significant figures.

Would you like further explanation or have any questions?


Here are five related questions:

  1. What is the importance of significant figures in scientific calculations?
  2. How would the result differ if the given data had more or fewer significant figures?
  3. Can you calculate the speed of the person with the given time and distance?
  4. How would you convert the final result back to kilometers using significant figures?
  5. How does rounding affect precision and accuracy in real-world measurements?

Tip: Always round off your final result to the least number of significant figures from the given data to ensure consistency in precision.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Significant Figures
Measurement Conversions
Rounding Numbers

Formulas

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Theorems

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Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12