A stick has a length of 12.132cm and another has a length of 12.4 cm. IF the two sticks are placed end and to what is the total length? IF the two sticks are placed side by side, what is the difference in their lengths?

Explanation

a) When placed end to end total length is
`l=l+1_1+l_2`
`l_1=12.132 cm and l_2=12.4 cm.`
`therefore l_1+l_2=12.132+12.4=24.532 cm.`

In additional final answer must have least number of significant numbers in that addition. i.e, one after decimal point.
So our answer is 24.5 cm.
b) For difference use `l_1-l_2`
i.e., `12.4-12.132=0.268 cm`.
In subtraction final answer must be adjusted to least number of significant figures in that operation.
Here least number is one digit after decimal . By applying round off procedure our answer is 0.3 cm.