Question

identify the number of significant figures in each of following:

a.An adult with the flu has a temperature of 103.5 F.

b. A brain contains 1.20*10¹⁰ neuron.

c.The time for a nerve impulse to travel from the feel to the brain is 0.46s.

Explain with expalination.

Answer 1

The significant figures are underlined in each number.

a. 103.5 : Here each digit is a significant figure and hence 4 significant figures. It is because non-zero digits are always significant and any zeros between two significant digits are significant

b. 1.20*1010 : Here 3 significant figures. It is because a final zero or trailing zeros in the decimal portion only are significant.

c. 0.46: Here 2 significant figures. Here the counting is done from first nonzero (4) to the last digit zero.