Let's find the total mass of the three samples of granite and report it to the appropriate number of significant figures.
### Step 1: Determine the individual masses
The masses of the three granite samples are:
- Sample 1: [tex]\(67.4 \, \text{g}\)[/tex]
- Sample 2: [tex]\(43.2 \, \text{g}\)[/tex]
- Sample 3: [tex]\(27.3 \, \text{g}\)[/tex]
### Step 2: Add the masses together
To find the total mass, we sum up the individual masses:
[tex]\[
67.4 \, \text{g} + 43.2 \, \text{g} + 27.3 \, \text{g}
\][/tex]
### Step 3: Perform the addition
Add the numbers together:
[tex]\[
67.4 + 43.2 + 27.3 = 137.9 \, \text{g}
\][/tex]
### Step 4: Determine the number of decimal places for significant figures
In addition, the number of decimal places in the result should match the smallest number of decimal places in the quantities being added. Each of the masses has 1 decimal place.
### Step 5: Report the result
So, the total mass should also be reported to 1 decimal place:
[tex]\[
137.9 \, \text{g}
\][/tex]
Therefore, the total mass of the three samples of granite, reported to the appropriate number of significant figures, is [tex]\(137.9 \, \text{g}\)[/tex].
