Question

which of the following expresses 2.64 × 10³ + 3.27 × 10² to the appropriate number of significant figures?
a 2.97 × 10²
b 2.967 × 10³
c 2.97 × 10³
d none of the above

Explanation:

Step1: Rewrite numbers in the same power - of - 10 form

Rewrite $3.27\times10^{2}$ as $0.327\times 10^{3}$.

Step2: Add the numbers

$2.64\times 10^{3}+0.327\times 10^{3}=(2.64 + 0.327)\times10^{3}=2.967\times 10^{3}$.

Step3: Round to appropriate significant figures

The number $2.64$ has three significant figures. So, we round $2.967\times 10^{3}$ to three significant figures, getting $2.97\times 10^{3}$.

Answer:

C. $2.97\times 10^{3}$