The mass of a box measured by a grocer’s balance is 2.300 kg. Two gold pieces of masses 20.15 g and 20.17 g are added to the box. What is (a) the total mass of the box, (b) the difference in the masses of the pieces to correct significant figures?

The mass of a box measured by a grocer’s balance is 2.300 kg. Two go

1.	The mass of a box measured by a grocer’s balance is 2.300 kg. Two gold pieces of masses 20.15 g and 20.17 g are added to the box. What is (a) the total mass of the box, (b) the difference in the masses of the pieces to correct significant figures?
Answer» Mass of grocer’s box = 2.300 kg Mass of gold piece I = 20.15g = 0.02015 kg Mass of gold piece II = 20.17 g = 0.02017 kg Total mass of the box = 2.3 + 0.02015 + 0.02017 = 2.34032 kg In addition, the final result should retain as many decimal places as there are in the number with the least decimal places. Hence, the total mass of the box is 2.3 kg. Difference in masses = 20.17 – 20.15 = 0.02 g In subtraction, the final result should retain as many decimal places as there are in the number with the least decimal places.