Final Answer:
The number 0.0801 has two significant figures.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a numerical value, significant figures are the digits that carry meaningful information.
The rules for determining the number of significant figures are as follows:
1. Non-zero digits are always significant. In this case, both '8' and '1' are non-zero digits.
2. Leading zeros (zeros to the left of the first non-zero digit) are not significant.
However, '0.0801' starts with a non-zero digit, so the leading zeros are significant.
3. Trailing zeros in a decimal number are always significant.
Here, the zero after '1' is a trailing zero in a decimal, so it is significant.
Applying these rules to '0.0801,' we count all the digits as significant, giving us a total of two significant figures.
This information is crucial when performing calculations or expressing measurements, as it indicates the precision of the given value.
Understanding significant figures helps ensure that the reported result reflects the precision of the original data.
In this case, the number 0.0801 has two significant figures, providing information about the certainty and reliability of the measured or reported quantity.