Which numbers are exact (and therefore have an unlimited
number o...

Question

Which numbers are exact (and therefore have an unlimited
number of significant figures)?
a. p = 3.14
b. 12 in = 1 ft
c. EPA gas mileage rating of 26 miles per gallon
d. 1 gross = 144

Accepted Answer

Hi everyone. For this problem, we need to determine whether the number is exact or not exact. And it says to note that the number of significant figures of exact numbers is unlimited. So let's take a look at the number. It is Euler number which is 2.71. And for us to determine whether this is exact or not, we need to take a look at the last significant figure which is a one and we don't know what the digit is after this one. And so this one communicates a level of uncertainty. It could either be a zero or a two. And so this number is really a number that is somewhere between 2. To 2.72. And so because this communicates uncertainty, Euler is number is not exact and that is the answer to this problem. It is not exact because there is uncertainty. Okay, so that's the end of this problem. I hope this was helpful.

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