How many significant figures are in the following numbers?
(a) 78.9±0.2
(b) 3.788∗10
9
(c) 2.46∗10
−6
(d) 0.0053
Explanation:
(a) The ±0.2 following the 78.9 expresses uncertainty in the last digit. Therefore, there are three significant figures in 78.9±0.2.
(b) Scientific notation is often used to remove the ambiguity of the number of significant figures in a number. Therefore, all the digits in 3.788 are significant, and 3.788∗10^9 has four significant figures.
(c) Similarly, 2.46 has three significant figures, therefore 2.46∗10^(-6) has three significant figures.
(d) Zeros used to position the decimal point are not significant. Therefore 0.0053 has two significant figures.
Uncertainty in a measurement can be the result of a number of factors, including the skill of the person doing the measurements, the precision and the quality of the instrument used, and the number of measurements made.
Answers & Comments
Answer:
letter:C 2.46×10^(-6),
Answer:
How many significant figures are in the following numbers?
(a) 78.9±0.2
(b) 3.788∗10
9
(c) 2.46∗10
−6
(d) 0.0053
Explanation:
(a) The ±0.2 following the 78.9 expresses uncertainty in the last digit. Therefore, there are three significant figures in 78.9±0.2.
(b) Scientific notation is often used to remove the ambiguity of the number of significant figures in a number. Therefore, all the digits in 3.788 are significant, and 3.788∗10^9 has four significant figures.
(c) Similarly, 2.46 has three significant figures, therefore 2.46∗10^(-6) has three significant figures.
(d) Zeros used to position the decimal point are not significant. Therefore 0.0053 has two significant figures.
Uncertainty in a measurement can be the result of a number of factors, including the skill of the person doing the measurements, the precision and the quality of the instrument used, and the number of measurements made.