asked 146k views
5 votes
How many significant figures are in the measurement 1300g?

asked
User Mithrop
by
8.3k points

1 Answer

5 votes

Hi!

Answer:

There are two significant figures in the measurement 1300g.

Step-by-step explanation:

Significant figures (sig figs) are particular digits that can communicate the precision of instruments being used to obtain measurements. Here are some rules to remember for significant figures during your calculations:

1. All non-zero digits are "significant".

e.g. 3.45 has no zeros, so this number has a total of three significant figures.

2. "Leading" zeros are not significant.

e.g. 0.0012 only has two significant figures because the zeros leading the non-zero digits are not measured values.

3. "Trapped" zeros ARE significant.

e.g. 3.045 → this number has a total of four significant figures, since the 0 is "sandwiched" (or trapped) between the non-zero digits, so it counts.

4. "Trailing" zeros are not significant (UNLESS there is a decimal point).

e.g. 1300 has two zeros trailing the non-zero digits, but there is no decimal point so this number only has two significant figures.

e.g. 1300. → whereas this number has FOUR significant figures now that there is a decimal point after the zeros, so they are no longer trailing.

answered
User Vader B
by
8.2k points
Welcome to Qamnty — a place to ask, share, and grow together. Join our community and get real answers from real people.