Question

There are exactly 2.54 centimeters in 1 inch. When using this conversion factor, how many 20) significant figures are you limited toi? A)1 B) 3 C) ambiguous D) depends on if you are using it in multiplication/division or addition/subtraction E) infinite number of significant figures

Answer 1

Answer : The correct option is, (E) infinite number of significant figures.

Explanation :

Significant figures : The figures in a number which express the value -the magnitude of a quantity to a specific degree of accuracy is known as significant digits.

Rules for significant figures:

Digits from 1 to 9 are always significant and have infinite number of significant figures.

All non-zero numbers are always significant. For example: 654, 6.54 and 65.4 all have three significant figures.

All zero’s between integers are always significant. For example: 5005, 5.005 and 50.05 all have four significant figures.

All zero’s preceding the first integers are never significant. For example: 0.0078 has two significant figures.

All zero’s after the decimal point are always significant. For example: 4.500, 45.00 and 450.0 all have four significant figures.

All zeroes used solely for spacing the decimal point are not significant. For example : 8000 has one significant figure.

The given conversion is:

2.54 cm = 1 inch

2.54 has 3 significant figure.

1 has infinite number of significant figures.

Hence, the correct option is, (E) infinite number of significant figures.