Question

The mean or average distance of the earth to the sun is 1.50 x 1011 m. How many significant digits are presented?

3
 
  11
 
  14

Answer 1

Option 3 -There are 14 significant digits presented in
`1.50* 10^(11)`

Explanation:

Given : The mean or average distance of the earth to the sun is
`1.50* 10^(11)` m.

To find : How many significant digits are presented?

Solution :

Rules to find the number of significant digits :

1) Non-zero digits are always significant.

2) Any zeros between two significant digits are significant.

3) A final zero or trailing zeros in the decimal portion only are significant.

So, In
`1.50* 10^(11)`

There are 11 zeros and 3 digit before decimal.

i.e. 11+3=14

Therefore, Option 3 is correct.

There are 14 significant digits presented in
`1.50* 10^(11)`

Answer 2

3

Explanation:

Just 3.

That's why you use scientific notation. The 1.50 fixes the accuracy of the answer -- 3 places. If it was

1.555 that would be 4 places.

1.500 would also be 4

1.5 would give you 2 places.

1.55556 would have 6 places.