How many significant figures are in each number? c. 108,700 km

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify all non-zero digits in the number 108,700 km. These are always significant.
2. Determine if there are any zeros between non-zero digits. These zeros are also significant.
3. Look at the zeros at the end of the number. Since there is no decimal point, these trailing zeros are not considered significant.
4. Count all the significant digits identified in the previous steps.
5. Summarize the total number of significant figures based on the analysis.

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 only when there is a decimal point. Understanding significant figures is crucial for accurately reporting measurements and calculations in scientific contexts.

Trailing Zeros

Trailing zeros are the zeros that appear at the end of a number. Their significance depends on the presence of a decimal point. For example, in the number 108,700, the trailing zeros are not considered significant unless specified by a decimal point (e.g., 108,700.0), which indicates that the measurement is precise to that level.

Measurement Precision

Measurement precision refers to the degree of reproducibility or consistency of a measurement. It is closely related to significant figures, as the number of significant figures reflects the precision of the measurement. In the context of the number 108,700 km, understanding how to interpret its significant figures helps convey the reliability of the measurement.