Final answer:
The statement is false; the precision modifier in programming only specifies the number of digits after the decimal point, not before. The concept of precision in significant figures in a numerical value relates to the importance of trailing zeros after a decimal point which indicate measurement precision.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the precision modifier can specify the number of digits to display on both sides of the decimal point with a floating-point value is false. In programming, when we talk about the precision modifier, it typically refers to formatting floating-point numbers to a certain number of digits after the decimal point. However, it does not specify the number of digits before the decimal point, as that is usually determined by the value of the number itself.
Regarding significant figures, which is a concept often used in math and science, Rule 5 indicates that trailing zeros in a number with a decimal point are significant. This means that if you have a number like 2.300, the zeros after the decimal point are considered significant because they indicate precision in measurement to the thousandth's place. Similarly, for the number 0.00050, the final zero is significant because it indicates a measurement was made to the ten-thousandth's place.