Question

How many significant figures are in the number 2903?

1) 2
2) 5
3) 4
4) 3
5) none of the above

Answer 1

The number 2903 has four significant figures. Non-zero digits and zeros between non-zero digits are significant according to the rules for counting significant figures.

Step-by-step explanation:

When considering the number 2903, we must apply the rules for significant figures to determine how many are present. According to the significant figures rules:

All non-zero digits are always significant (rule 1).

Zeros between non-zero digits are significant (rule 2).

Leading zeros are merely placeholders and are not significant (rule 3).

Trailing zeros in a decimal number are significant (rule 5).

In the number 2903:

The digits 2, 9, and 3 are non-zero and thus significant.

The zero is between non-zero digits, making it significant as well.

Therefore, the correct number of significant figures in the measurement 2903 is four.