How many significant figures are in each of the following measurements? (d) 0.004 50 m

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify all non-zero digits in the measurement, as they are always significant.
2. Recognize that any zeros between non-zero digits are also significant.
3. Note that leading zeros, which are zeros that precede all non-zero digits, are not significant.
4. Apply these rules to the given measurement: 0.004 50 m.
5. Count the significant figures: the non-zero digits and any zeros between them.

Key Concepts

Significant Figures

Significant figures are the digits in a number that contribute to its precision. This includes all non-zero digits, any zeros between significant digits, and trailing zeros in the decimal portion. Understanding significant figures is crucial for accurately reporting measurements in scientific contexts.

Leading Zeros

Leading zeros are the zeros that precede all non-zero digits in a number. They are not considered significant because they do not affect the precision of the measurement. For example, in the number 0.00450, the leading zeros (0.00) do not count towards the significant figures.

Trailing Zeros in Decimal Numbers

Trailing zeros in a decimal number are significant because they indicate the precision of the measurement. For instance, in the measurement 0.00450 m, the two trailing zeros after the 5 are significant, indicating that the measurement is precise to the thousandths place.