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What is the answer to the problem reported to the correct number of significant figures?

\[ \frac{19.8 \, \text{g}}{(103.29 \, \text{mL} - 97.6 \, \text{mL})} = ? \]

Answer :

The result is 3.48 g/mL rounded to 3 significant figures.

To solve the problem with the correct number of significant figures:

1. Subtract the volumes: [tex]\[ 103.29 \, \text{mL} - 97.6 \, \text{mL} = 5.69 \, \text{mL} \][/tex]

When subtracting, the result should be reported with the same number of decimal places as the least precise measurement (which is 1 decimal place in this case).

2. Divide the mass by the result of the subtraction:

[tex]\[ \frac{19.8 \, \text{g}}{5.69 \, \text{mL}} \approx 3.48 \, \text{g/mL} \][/tex]

The result should be reported with the same number of significant figures as the measurement with the fewest significant figures used in the calculation. Here, 19.8 has 3 significant figures and 5.69 has 3 significant figures. Thus, the final result is reported in 3 significant figures.

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