CHEMISTRY COMMUNITY

Hi!

I was wondering when you’re doing a multiplication/division calculation to find the number of grams, moles, etc., do you use the least amount of sig figs in the proposed question or the least amount of sig figs while you’re calculating the quantity?

You should use the least number of significant figures that you use, meaning either the problem or in your calculations. However, in most cases you will have fewer significant figures in the problem since the values you use in calculations are more precisely measured (i.e. molar mass, constants). You should never use fewer significant figures than what is given in the problem if it can be avoided.