Try it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
How many significant figures are there in each number? (a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
Non-zero digits are significant. Zeros between them are significant. Zeros at the left are not. Zeros at the right count only after a decimal point. Sums keep the fewest decimal places; products keep the fewest significant figures.
Have you tried it?
Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
(a) : the zeros at the left do not count; , , and the last do, so there are .
(b) : all digits count, because the zeros at the right follow a decimal point. There are .
(c) : the zeros at the right of a whole number are not clear, so only is certain.
(d) : there are . This is how to show that all four figures of are meant.
(e) : only the counts, so there is .
Answer: , , , and .
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