wich of these measurments has 3 signifacant digits? a.29.3 cm b.290 cm c.0.029 cm d.290. cm

Question

wich on is it

 

Answer 1

A.) 29.3 has three significant digits because it contains no zeros on the ends.

 

If a number has zeros on the ends, they are just placeholders, such as 290. The 2 and the 9 are significant digits, but that 0 on the end is just  a placeholder.

 

0.029 also has only 2 significant digits, the 2 and the 9 are significant digits, but the 0s on the ends are just  placeholders.

 

However! If a number has a 0 on the inside, it is considered significant... so 209 has 3 significant digits, where 290 only has 2.

 

Answer 2

Unfortunately, I have to disagree with Susan. The zero IS NOT ALWAYS a place holder.

a. 29.3 cm- all numbers are significant; you have 29 and three tenths cm of something.

b. 290 cm- all numbers are significant; you have two hundred and 90 cm of something.

c. 0.029 cm - the first 0 IS a place holder. However, the second 0 is significant because it comes AFTER the

decimal and indicates that there is 29 thousandths of something.

d. 290. cm - b and d are basically the same number. If you remove the 0 from either number, then the

value changes from 290 to 29. If you had a 0 AFTER the decimal, then it would become a place

holder.

Answer 3

Hi Sabeel K.,

Note that Susan implicitly indicated above that none of the measurments had 3 signifacant digits. The words you wanted are "Which", "measurements", "significant", and (I think!) "one". No spell-check program will ever be able to save you from consistently atrocious errors and subsequent assumptions about your general education. Just sayin'!

-- Cheers, --Mr. d.