College

Select the correct answer.

What is the solution to the problem expressed to the correct number of significant figures?

[tex]\frac{12.0}{7.11}[/tex]

A. 1.688
B. 1.69
C. 1.7
D. 1.70

Answer :

To solve the problem, follow these steps:

1. Write the division as
[tex]$$
\frac{12.0}{7.11}.
$$[/tex]

2. Notice that both numbers, [tex]$12.0$[/tex] and [tex]$7.11$[/tex], are given with three significant figures. Therefore, the final answer must also be expressed with three significant figures.

3. Divide the numbers to get an initial (unrounded) result:
[tex]$$
\frac{12.0}{7.11} \approx 1.6877637.
$$[/tex]

4. Since the quotient is between 1 and 10, having three significant figures means rounding the number to two decimal places. Thus, rounding [tex]$1.6877637$[/tex] gives
[tex]$$
1.69.
$$[/tex]

5. Therefore, the correct answer is [tex]$\boxed{1.69}$[/tex], which corresponds to option B.