Question

The correct number of significant figures in the number 0.027090 is:

1) 7
2) 6
3) 5
4) ambiguous
5) none of the above

Answer 1

The correct number of significant figures in the number 0.027090 is ambiguous and could have one, two, or three significant figures.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct number of significant figures in the number 0.027090 is ambiguous.

The significant figures in a number are determined by specific rules. In this case, the 5, the 2, and the 9 are significant (rule 1). The trailing zero is also significant (rule 5), but the leading zeros are not significant (rule 3).

The middle zeros are significant (rule 2). Therefore, the number could have one, two or three significant figures.