Question

a chemist needs to know the mass of a sample of caco₃ to 2 significant digits. she puts the sample on a digital scale. this is what the scale shows: 00048.8 g if this measurement is precise enough for the chemist, round it to 2 significant digits. otherwise, press the
o solution\ button.

Explanation:

Step1: Identify significant digits

The number is \(48.8\) g. The first two significant digits are \(4\) and \(8\). The third digit is \(8\).

Step2: Apply rounding rule

Since \(8\geq5\), we round up the second digit. So \(48.8\approx49\) (rounded to 2 significant digits)

Answer:

\(49\)