To round the number 1047.78 to three significant figures, follow these steps:
1. Identify the Significant Figures:
- The number 1047.78 initially has six significant figures: 1, 0, 4, 7, 7, and 8.
2. Determine the Position:
- To round to three significant figures, focus on the first three digits of the number, which are 1, 0, and 4.
3. Rounding Principles:
- Look at the digit immediately after the third significant figure (which is the fourth digit in our number). In 1047.78, this digit is 7.
- If this digit (7) is 5 or greater, we round the third significant figure (4) up by one. If it is less than 5, we leave the third significant figure as is.
4. Round the Number:
- Since 7 (the fourth digit) is greater than 5, round the 4 (the third significant figure) up to 5.
5. Adjust the Remaining Digits:
- The rounded number becomes 1050.0, as the 1047.78 rounds up such that the first three significant figures conform to the rounding process.
Therefore, 1047.78 rounded to three significant figures is 1050.0.
