Question

Can leading zeroes be dropped and double colons?
1) Yes
2) No

Answer 1

In chemistry, the count of significant figures is important for measurement accuracy. Leading zeros are not considered significant and can be dropped; other zeros might be significant depending on their position in the number.

Step-by-step explanation:

In chemistry, when determining the number of significant figures in a given measurement, there are specific rules that must be followed. The question refers to rules regarding the significance of digits in a number:

• Rule 1: All non-zero numbers are significant.
• Rule 2: Any zeros between significant digits are significant.
• Rule 3: Leading zeros (zeros before any non-zero number) are not significant, they only serve as placeholders.
• Rule 5: Trailing zeros in a decimal number are considered significant.

Therefore, when addressing the provided examples:

1. All three numbers are significant.
2. The leading zeros are not significant, the 3 and the 1 are significant.
3. The 5, the 2 and the 9 are significant, as well as the trailing zero.

As a result, leading zeros can be dropped as they do not count towards the number of significant figures in a measurement.