Convert the following quantities into SI units with the correct number of significant figures. (f) 2.380 mi²

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Identify the conversion factor from square miles to square meters. 1 square mile is equal to 2.59 x 10^6 square meters.
2. Step 2: Set up the conversion so that the unwanted unit will cancel out. You should multiply the given value in square miles by the conversion factor.
3. Step 3: Carry out the multiplication and cancel the units. This will give you the value in square meters.
4. Step 4: Ensure that your answer has the same number of significant figures as the original measurement. In this case, the original measurement has four significant figures, so your final answer should also have four significant figures.
5. Step 5: Write your final answer in scientific notation, if necessary, to reflect the correct number of significant figures.

Key Concepts

Significant Figures

Significant figures are the digits in a number that contribute to its precision. This includes all non-zero digits, any zeros between significant digits, and trailing zeros in the decimal portion. Understanding significant figures is crucial for accurately reporting measurements and ensuring that calculations reflect the precision of the data.

Unit Conversion

Unit conversion is the process of converting a quantity expressed in one set of units to another set of units. This often involves using conversion factors, which are ratios that express how many of one unit are equivalent to another. In this case, converting square miles to square meters requires knowing the appropriate conversion factor for area.

SI Units

The International System of Units (SI) is a standardized system of measurement used globally in science and engineering. It includes base units such as meters for length, kilograms for mass, and seconds for time. Converting measurements to SI units ensures consistency and comparability in scientific communication and calculations.