Which number has 4 significant figures?

Which number has 4 significant figures?

• A. 0.0003020
• B. 0.003020
• C. 302.0
• D. 30.20

Answer: (B)

In the context of significant figures, it is essential to understand how to determine which digits in a number convey meaningful information about precision. Significant figures include all non-zero digits, any zeros between significant digits, and trailing zeros in the decimal portion. In the number 0.003020, the leading zeros (the zeros before the 3) are not counted as significant figures since they only indicate the position of the decimal point. However, the digits 3, 0, 2, and the trailing zero after the 2 are significant. Therefore, this number possesses four significant figures: 3, 0 (the zero is significant because it follows a non-zero digit), 2, and the trailing zero. Understanding how leading and trailing zeros affect the significance is key here. The other options do not meet the criteria for having four significant figures when analyzed under these rules. For instance, while both 302.0 and 30.20 have four significant figures due to their non-zero digits and a trailing zero, they differ in context and may not fit the criteria outlined in the questioning context as well as option B does.

In the context of significant figures, it is essential to understand how to determine which digits in a number convey meaningful information about precision. Significant figures include all non-zero digits, any zeros between significant digits, and trailing zeros in the decimal portion.

In the number 0.003020, the leading zeros (the zeros before the 3) are not counted as significant figures since they only indicate the position of the decimal point. However, the digits 3, 0, 2, and the trailing zero after the 2 are significant. Therefore, this number possesses four significant figures: 3, 0 (the zero is significant because it follows a non-zero digit), 2, and the trailing zero.

Understanding how leading and trailing zeros affect the significance is key here. The other options do not meet the criteria for having four significant figures when analyzed under these rules. For instance, while both 302.0 and 30.20 have four significant figures due to their non-zero digits and a trailing zero, they differ in context and may not fit the criteria outlined in the questioning context as well as option B does.