Question:

Consider the following:
a) 0.0025
b) 500.0
c) 2.0034
Number of significant figures in A, B and C respectively are

Show Hint

To easily identify significant figures, try writing the number in scientific notation. For example, \( 0.0025 \) becomes \( 2.5 \times 10^{-3} \) (2 digits), and \( 500.0 \) becomes \( 5.000 \times 10^2 \) (4 digits). The digits in the coefficient are always the significant ones!
Updated On: Jun 3, 2026
  • 5, 4, 4
  • 2, 4, 2
  • 4, 3, 2
  • 2, 4, 5
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Concept: Significant figures are the digits in a number that carry meaningful information about its precision. The rules are:
• All non-zero digits are significant.
• Zeros between non-zero digits are significant (captive zeros).
• Leading zeros (to the left of the first non-zero digit) are NOT significant.
• Trailing zeros in a number containing a decimal point are significant.

Step 1:
Analyze value (a) \( 0.0025 \)
In \( 0.0025 \), the zeros to the left of \( 2 \) are leading zeros. According to Rule 3, leading zeros are not significant. Only the digits \( 2 \) and \( 5 \) are significant.
Significant figures = 2.

Step 2:
Analyze value (b) \( 500.0 \).
In \( 500.0 \), there is a decimal point. According to Rule 4, trailing zeros after a non-zero digit in a decimal number are significant. Here, the zeros between \( 5 \) and the decimal, as well as the zero after the decimal, are all significant.
Significant figures = 4.

Step 3:
Analyze value (c) \( 2.0034 \).
In \( 2.0034 \), the zeros are between the non-zero digits \( 2 \) and \( 3 \). According to Rule 2, these captive zeros are significant. All digits (\( 2, 0, 0, 3, 4 \)) carry meaning.
Significant figures = 5.
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