Certainly! Let's calculate the total mass of the three samples of granite and report it to the appropriate number of significant figures.
### Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Identify the given masses:
- Mass of the first sample ([tex]\( \text{mass}_1 \)[/tex]): 67.4 g
- Mass of the second sample ([tex]\( \text{mass}_2 \)[/tex]): 43.2 g
- Mass of the third sample ([tex]\( \text{mass}_3 \)[/tex]): 27.3 g
2. Sum the given masses to find the total mass:
[tex]\[
\text{Total Mass} = \text{mass}_1 + \text{mass}_2 + \text{mass}_3
\][/tex]
[tex]\[
\text{Total Mass} = 67.4 \,g + 43.2 \,g + 27.3 \,g
\][/tex]
3. Calculate the total mass:
[tex]\[
\text{Total Mass} = 137.9 \,g
\][/tex]
4. Determine the appropriate number of significant figures:
When adding or subtracting, the result should be reported to the least number of decimal places present in the original numbers.
- All given masses (67.4 g, 43.2 g, and 27.3 g) are measured to one decimal place.
5. Round the total mass to the appropriate number of significant figures:
Since all measurements are to one decimal place, the total mass should also be reported to one decimal place.
Final Total Mass:
[tex]\[
137.9 \,g
\][/tex]
Therefore, the total mass of the three samples of granite, reported to the appropriate number of significant figures, is [tex]\(137.9\)[/tex] g.
