Question

Round the numbers that follow to three significant figures and express the result in standard exponential notation: (a) 143,700; (b) 0.09750; (c) 890,000; (d) 6,764E4; (e) 33,987.22; (f) - 6.5559.

Answer 1

Explanation:

Non-zero digits are always significant.

Zeros between significant digits are also significant.

Trailing zeros are significant only after a decimal point.

(a) 143,700

First, write in scientific notation.

1.437×10⁵

Now, round to 3 significant figures.

1.44×10⁵

(b) 0.09750

= 9.750×10⁻²

= 9.75×10⁻²

(c) 890,000

= 8.9×10⁵

= 8.90×10⁵

(d) 6,764×10⁴

= 6.764×10⁷

= 6.76×10⁷

(e) 33,987.22

= 3.398722×10⁴

= 3.40×10⁴

(f) -6.5559

= -6.5559×10⁰

= -6.56×10⁰