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We have 1/(4,5) .

When we do the divison,what accuracy does the result have?

fsdd
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  • I assume you mean $1/4.5$. – JRN May 02 '14 at 06:22
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    Explain a little more the problem. – Kal S. May 02 '14 at 06:22
  • The numerator has one significant figure and the denominator has two significant figures, right? And you're asking how many significant figures the quotient has? – JRN May 02 '14 at 06:23
  • It has to be that,I thought it could also mean,find the number of the correct digits but in that case I couldnt use Δx≤(1/2)*10^{-n} – fsdd May 02 '14 at 06:41

1 Answers1

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I assume you're talking about significance arithmetic. When dividing numbers, "the result is rounded to the number of significant figures in the [operand] with the least significant figures." Assuming that your dividend really is $1$ (and not, say, $1.0$), then your quotient should be rounded to one significant figure. That is, $1/4.5\approx 0$. But if your dividend is, say, $1.0$, then your quotient should be rounded to two significant figures. That is, $1/4.5\approx 0.2$.

JRN
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  • I assume you are not talking about computer arithmetic. – JRN May 02 '14 at 06:33
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    It is also possible, though, that 1 is an exact value, with infinite significant figures. In which case the quotient should be rounded to two significant figures. It is hard to tell from the question, though. – wgrenard May 02 '14 at 06:33
  • @wgrenard, yes, but if so, then it would also be possible that $4.5$ also is an exact value. The question is vague. – JRN May 02 '14 at 06:34