44. How many significant figures are in the number 300,000? - Sindh Board (stb)

                           

EXPLANATION

Question:  How many significant figures are in the number 300,000?

• a) 1
• b) 2
• c) 3
• d) 6

ANSWER: a) 1

EXPLANATION:

The number 300,000 has (a), 1 significant figure.

The leading zeros are not significant because they are just placeholders. The first non-zero digit, 3, is certain and the other digits are uncertain. So the number has 1 significant figure.

Here are the rules for determining the number of significant figures in a number:

All non-zero digits are significant.

Leading zeros are not significant.

Trailing zeros are significant if they are between two significant digits.

Trailing zeros are not significant if they are after a decimal point and there is no other significant digit to the right of the decimal point.

In the number 300,000, the leading zeros are not significant because they are just placeholders. The first non-zero digit, 3, is certain and the other digits are uncertain. So the number has 1 significant figure.

The other options are incorrect. Option (b), 2 significant figures, is incorrect because the leading zeros are not significant. Option (c), 3 significant figures, is incorrect because the trailing zeros are not significant. Option (d), 6 significant figures, is incorrect because there is only 1 significant figure in the number.