Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Significant Figures
Significant figures are the digits in a measurement that contribute to its precision. They include all non-zero digits, zeros between significant digits, and trailing zeros in a decimal. When performing calculations, the result should be reported with the same number of significant figures as the measurement with the fewest significant figures.
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Measurement Precision
Measurement precision refers to the consistency and exactness of a measurement. It is determined by the instrument used and the method of measurement. In this context, the wooden ruler provides a less precise measurement (12 mm) compared to the micrometer calipers (5.98 mm), affecting the significant figures in the calculated area.
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Area Calculation
The area of a rectangle is calculated by multiplying its length by its width. In this problem, the length is 12 mm and the width is 5.98 mm. The calculation must consider significant figures, so the area should be reported with the same number of significant figures as the least precise measurement, which is 12 mm (two significant figures).
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