Question

You have a machine that can only handle 3 significant digits. Let x=25.74 y=9.370 and both have 4 correct figures. What is the correct numerical value for z=x-y on this machine?

Answer 1

Answer: z = 16.3

Explanation:

Since the machine can only handle 3 significant digits.

All the inputs would be automatically converted to 3 significant digits.

x = 25.74 = 25.7 (to 3 s.d)

y = 9.370 = 9.37 (to 3 s.d)

So, the value of ;

z = x-y

Substituting the input values.

z = 25.7 - 9.37

z = 16.33

But the Machine can only output 3 significant digits

z = 16.3