There is a certain amount of error associated with every measurement. When an object is said to have a length of 7 cm, the actual length of the object is between 6.5 and 7.5 cm.
Rules for counting “0” as significant figures.
0’s that appear between two non-zero numbers are significant.
Ex. 4004: This has four significant figures
0’s that appear before a-non zero number are not significant. The other zero’s are place holders.
Ex. .008: This number only has one significant figure
0’s that appear after a non-zero number are significant.
Ex: 0.0080: This number has two significant figures.
0’s that appear at the end of number but have no decimal point after them are not significant.
Ex. 450: This number has two significant figures
