Problem 2P
(I) How many significant figures do each of the following numbers have: (a) 214, (b) 81.60, (c) 7.03, (d) 0.03, (e) 0.0086. (f) 3236. and (g) 8700?
Solution: 2P
To find the significant figures for the following numbers:
Remarks: The number of significant figures is counted from the first nonzero digit.
- 214
Significant figures of the number 214
214 = number of significant digits = [3]
(b) 81.60
Significant figures of the number 81.60
81.60 = number of significant digits = [4]
(c) 7.03
Significant figures of the number 7.03
7.03 = number of significant digits = [3]
(d) 0.03
Significant figures of the number 0.03
0.03 = number of significant digits = [1]
(e) 0.0086
Significant figures of the number 0.0086
0.0086 = number of significant digits = [2]
(f) 3236
Significant figures of the number 3236
3236 = number of significant digits = [4]
(g) 8700
Significant figures of the number 8700
81.60 = number of significant digits = [4, 3 or 2]
Depending on significance of zeros
(Zeros give only the place value of the number)
