(I) How many significant figures do each of the following numbers have:
(g) 8700
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify all non-zero digits as they are always significant. In the number 8700, the digits 8 and 7 are non-zero.
Examine the zeros in the number to determine if they are significant. Zeros that are between non-zero digits or after a decimal point are significant.
In the number 8700, the zeros are trailing zeros and there is no decimal point shown. These zeros are not automatically significant unless specified by a decimal point or an underline.
Count the significant figures. Since the trailing zeros are not significant in this case, only the non-zero digits are counted.
Thus, the number 8700 has two significant figures.