Question

Which of the following numbers contains 3 significant digits?

a) 59,100 students
b) 0.420 grams
c) 700 meters
d) 0.004 mil

Answer 1

In the given options, 0.420 grams contains exactly 3 significant digits because the trailing zero counts as significant following the decimal point.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question entails determining which of the listed options contains 3 significant digits. Significant figures are the digits of a number that are meaningful in terms of accuracy or precision.

Let's examine the options one by one:

• 59,100 students - This number has three significant figures if it is rounded to the nearest hundred (the zeros are not assumed to be significant here).
• 0.420 grams - This number contains three significant digits (4, 2, and the trailing zero because it follows a decimal point).
• 700 meters - This number typically contains only one significant digit unless specified otherwise (the zeros are considered as placeholders).
• 0.004 mil - This has only one significant digit, which is the 4 (leading zeros are not significant).

Considering these explanations, option b) 0.420 grams clearly contains 3 significant digits.