Final answer:
The statement is false; when writing a decimal number less than 1, the number in the ones place is always 0 to show that the value is less than one whole unit, and trailing zeros in decimals are significant as they indicate measurement precision.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'When writing a decimal number that is less than 1, any number is normally used in the ones place' is false. When writing a decimal number that is less than 1, the number in the ones place is always 0. This represents that the value is less than one whole unit. In decimal notation, all digits after the decimal point to the right represent fractions of one, such as tenths, hundredths, etc. It is important to understand that trailing zeros in a number with a decimal point are significant. Whether these zeros occur before or after the decimal point, they serve as placekeepers and indicate the precision of the measurement.
For example, in scientific notation, which is used for writing very large or very small numbers in a simplified form, we always use one digit to the left of the decimal point. If a number like 965 needs to be converted into scientific notation, it would become 9.65 x 10², thus ensuring just one non-zero digit to the left of the decimal point. Additionally, right-end zeros in a number with a decimal point are also significant as they determine the level of precision of that number.