How many significant digits does 520 have?
1 Answer
Two significant figures.
Explanation:
Right from the start, you should be able to look at this number and say that it has at least two significant figures given by the two non-zero digits it contains.
Non-zero digits are always significant, so look for them first when trying to figure out how many sig figs you have.
Now, let's focus on that zero.
A zero that follows all non-zero digits and is not followed by any non-zero digits is called a trailing zero. A trailing zero is significant when it follows a decimal point or when a decimal point directly follows it.
In your case, the zero in
Examples in which that zero would be significant
#52.0 -># the trailing zero follows a decimal point
#520. -># the trailing zero is followed directly by a decimal point
