How many significant figures are in the number 5400?

1 Answer
Truong-Son N.
Dec 6, 2015

I am assuming that #5400# is #5400# as-written.

As such, #5400# is relevant to the following rules for significant figures:

PROMINENT DEFINITIONS

  • All nonzero digits are significant.
  • A trailing zero goes after a decimal point, or after all nonzero digits, or both, and no nonzero digits follow it.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

  • All "placeholder" zeroes AFTER a nonzero digit but BEFORE an implicit or explicit decimal point are subject to the following conditions:
    • If an explicit decimal point is specified, they are significant if and only if a nonzero digit precedes them.
    • If no explicit decimal point is specified, they are NOT significant.

Therefore, there are TWO significant figures (not four).

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