1. **Problem statement:** Calculate the relative error given an approximate value of 35.88 and an actual value of 36.24. 2. **Formula for relative error:** $$\text{Relative error} = \frac{|\text{approximate value} - \text{actual value}|}{|\text{actual value}|}$$ 3. **Calculate the absolute error:** $$|35.88 - 36.24| = 0.36$$ 4. **Calculate the relative error:** $$\frac{0.36}{36.24} \approx 0.00993$$ 5. **Round to 4 significant figures:** $$0.00993 \approx 9.930 \times 10^{-3}$$ **Final answer:** The relative error is approximately $9.930 \times 10^{-3}$ (correct to 4 significant figures).