Question

Trailing zeros (those at the end) are significant only if the number contains a decimal point; otherwise, they are insignificant (they don't count). How many significant figures in 100. and how many in 100?

a) 1; 3
b) 4; 4
c) 3; 2
d) 1; 1

Answer 1

Trailing zeros in a number are significant only if the number contains a decimal point.

Step-by-step explanation:

The number 100. has only 1 significant figure because trailing zeros at the end are significant only if the number contains a decimal point. Therefore, the zero after the decimal point in 100. is significant.

The number 100 has 3 significant figures because trailing zeros are insignificant when the number does not contain a decimal point. Therefore, the zero at the end of 100 is not significant.