Significant Figures: 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5?

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    Significant figures
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The discussion focuses on determining the number of significant figures to retain in a specific calculation involving subtraction and addition. Participants emphasize that the final result should reflect the least number of significant digits from the numbers involved in the operations. The hint provided suggests examining the entire formula to identify the number with the fewest significant figures. This approach ensures that the precision of the result is consistent with the least precise measurement. Ultimately, the consensus is that the final answer should be based on the significant figures of the least precise number in the calculation.
Victor Frankenstein
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How many significant figures should be retained in the result of the following calculation.

(11.13 - 2.6) * 10^4
-----------------------
(103.05 + 16.9) * 10^-6

is it 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 or 5 ?
 
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Oops

I just read the posting guidelines more closely, so instead i will give u a hint :-)
You should look at the entire "formula" (I lack a better word), and find the number with least significant digits, that's the amount of significant digits in your final result.
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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